By Abiola Olawale
Widespread apprehension is growing as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a directive to its members in various states that have not yet initiated the implementation of the newly established minimum wage.
The NLC has instructed these members to prepare for an indefinite strike action, which is set to commence on December 1, 2024.
The NLC made this resolution during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.
In a communique released after the meeting, the NLC wondered why some states are yet to implement the new minimum wage despite the economic situation of the country.
The communique reads in part: “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 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 New Diplomat reports that in July 2024, President Bola Ahmed 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.
As of press time, states that have yet to approve a particular minimum wage amount are Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, Taraba, and the FCT.
Also, the NLC raised serious concerns regarding sharp practices of some petroleum marketers, accusing them of artificially inflating the price of petrol at the pumps.
The labour union claims that petrol prices are notably higher than what would is expected based on the actual market value.
The union also accused petrol marketers of allegedly taking advantage of the hardships faced by Nigerians.
The NLC added: “The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the
appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria. It observed that there may be a gangup 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 break upbreak-up
the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry.”
On the worsening economic situation in the country, the NLC said its NEC observes, with profound concern, the accelerating economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerian citizens.
It noted that inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of basic necessities spiraling beyond the reach of the average worker, among others.
The NLC demanded immediate, concrete interventions from the Federal Government, not token measures, to relieve this suffering.
