The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has issued a December 1, 2024, deadline for state governments to enforce the newly approved minimum wage.
Additionally, the NLC accused fuel marketers of inflating petrol prices, arguing that the current pump price far exceeds fair market value, contributing to escalating hardship for Nigerians.
The congress expressed concerns that citizens are increasingly burdened by government policies that exacerbate poverty and hunger.
In a communiqué released on Sunday, November 10, after its National Executive Council meeting, the NLC highlighted the country’s deepening economic distress, urging a swift reassessment of what it described as anti-people policies.
The NLC directed its state councils to initiate an indefinite strike beginning December 1, 2024, in states that have yet to implement the wage increase as a means of addressing unresolved labor issues.
President Bola Tinubu had approved a minimum wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024, although implementation has been staggered across states, with some yet to comply.
While some states have pledged to meet the N70,000 benchmark, others have committed to paying above the federal minimum. By early November, over 20 states had officially announced their adoption of the new wage.
“The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.
“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.
“To this end, all state councils where the national minimum wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from the 1st day of December 2024.
“Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the communique read.
The NLC’s call emphasized its deepening concerns about the economic burden on Nigerians and its commitment to holding both fuel marketers and the government responsible for safeguarding citizens’ welfare.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol in Nigeria.
“It observed that there may be a gang-up against Nigerians by fat cats in the industry as the current price of the product is significantly higher than the real market price.
“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day considering the revelations from the ongoing controversy between Marketers and Dangote group.
“It is entirely possible that Nigerian workers and masses are being ripped off by those who control the levers of economic power in Nigeria which explains why the domestic public refineries may not immediately be allowed to come on stream.
“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the Public domestic refineries in PH, Warri and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream,” it added.
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