11th November 2024
By Idris Buba
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed state councils where the new minimum wage is yet to be implemented to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, in protest against the unaddressed labour issues
Aside the ultimatum, the union also lambasted fuel marketers for inflating petrol prices, under the guise that the pump price is significantly higher than the actual market value.
The NLC lamented that Nigerians were being severely exploited, with citizens enduring heightened suffering and hunger due to government policies.
In a communique released on Sunday, following its National Executive Council meeting, the NLC decried the severe economic hardship across the country and called for an urgent review of the anti people policies of government.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000.
However, the implementation across states has been gradual, with some still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
It therefore gave state governors till December 1, 2024 to implement the new minimum wage or facc the wrath of workers.
While a number of states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, with committment to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.
As of the first week of November, more than 20 states have announced the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“The union NEC, has therefore, resolved to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among other things, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and sensitisation campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their rights.
“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the new minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.
READ MORE; Breaking; Minimum Wage: Tinubu agrees to pay N70, 000
“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 is in tandem with it growing concerns over the economic strain on Nigerians and its commitment to holding both fuel marketers and the government accountable for 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.
