Strike Looms: NLC Directs Workers to Protest Non-Payment of New Minimum Wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its state councils to begin an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, in states that have failed to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage. This decision follows a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where NLC leadership reviewed concerns over states’ non-compliance with the newly legislated wage, despite the rising cost of living.
In a statement after the meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the neglect of workers' rights and criticized the federal government’s “anti-people policies,” which have worsened the hardships faced by Nigerians. The communiqué highlighted the union's frustration with inflation and the soaring costs of basic necessities, which are putting a heavy strain on workers.
The NEC also expressed concerns over the erosion of democratic norms, citing the frequent arrests, detentions, and questionable trials of dissidents as signs of declining freedoms. The NLC made it clear that any form of political victimization, including withholding salaries or benefits, would not be tolerated.
Ajaero expressed deep frustration over the continued refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, calling it a betrayal that disregards both legality and morality. He stressed that these actions are pushing millions of workers into economic hardship, despite promises of protection.
The NLC leadership vowed to defend workers’ rights and ensure that no state delays or refuses the mandated wage adjustment. They also called on the federal government to review policies that are harmful to Nigerians and contributing to their economic struggles.
The communiqué further announced the establishment of a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, which will launch a nationwide campaign to educate workers and citizens on the importance of resisting this infringement on their rights. The NLC confirmed that industrial actions will be initiated in all states that fail to comply, and the strike will commence on December 1, 2024, in non-compliant states. The NLC declared that Nigerian workers demand justice and will not stop until the minimum wage is fully implemented across the country.
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