By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its displeasure over the delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act approved by the federal government.
The Labour Union called on state governors who fall in either of the categories to do the needful before December 1 or risk industrial action from their workers.
The NLC position is contained in a communique signed by its President, Mr Joe Ajaero, on Sunday, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
Ajaero stresssed that workers in affected states are finding it difficult to sustain themselves in the face of the worsening state of the nation’s economy.
“The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
“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 NEC therefore resolved to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and campaign to educate 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 Nov., 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from December 1,” he said.
