State governors have been given a December 1, 2024 ultimatum to begin payment of the N70,000 minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has gave the ultimatum In a communique released on Sunday, following its National Executive Council meeting.
It also accused fuel marketers of inflating petrol prices, claiming the pump price is significantly higher than the actual market value.
The labour union said Nigerians were being exploited, with citizens enduring heightened suffering and hunger due to government policies which keep pushing many into destitution.
The union also highlighted the severe economic hardship across the country and called for an urgent review of policies it described as “anti-people.”
The NLC further directed state councils where the new minimum wage is not yet implemented to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, in protest against the unaddressed labour issues.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000.
While a number of states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.
The communique read thus: “The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and sensitisation 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 prevail.”
