New Minimum Wage: NLC directs workers to begin strike December

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The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members in states where the new minimum wage remains unimplemented by November to embark on a strike beginning December 1.

In a statement on Monday, the NLC disclosed that this decision followed an NEC meeting held on Friday in Rivers State, where the challenges facing workers were thoroughly discussed.

The union expressed deep frustration over the continued delay and outright refusal by certain state governments to enforce the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

NRTC reported that the labour union and the federal government had reached an agreement in July to establish N70,000 as the new minimum wage.

Additionally, the union demanded justice for Nigerian workers, stating that, “This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship.

“It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers, who are being exploited by the very leaders sworn to protect them.”

The NLC further announced that the NEC has established a national minimum wage implementation committee to lead a nationwide assessment, mobilization, and sensitization campaign, aiming to educate workers and citizens on the importance of resisting this attack on their dignity and rights.

Additionally, the NLC pledged to launch a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and affirmed its commitment to persist until the minimum wage is fully implemented nationwide.