Nigeria Labor Congress Gives Dec. 1 Ultimatum For Minimum Wage Implementation Amid Economic Crisis

The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has given an ultimatum to all state governments until Dec. 1 to implement the new national minimum wage, amid worsening economic conditions of workers in the country.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made this announcement in a statement after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.

He expressed disappointment with some states for not yet implementing the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, calling the delay both illegal and unfair.

In July, President Bola Tinubu approved raising the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000. However, the new wage was being implemented slowly across states.

"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," Ajaero said, Naira Metrics mentioned.

"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," he added.

Ajaero said that any state councils, where the National Minimum Wage has not been fully implemented by the end of November 2024, must go on strike starting Dec. 1. He explained that inflation was rising rapidly, making basic goods too expensive for most workers.

Many Nigerians were being pushed into poverty and forced to choose between feeding their families and paying for healthcare. Ajaero emphasized the need for an immediate review of wages and the introduction of policies to protect workers' livelihoods.

Ajaero added that while the NLC appreciated the federal government's introduction of CNG buses, they were not enough to solve the country's transportation problems.

The NLC president also pointed out that the lack of CNG infrastructure in many areas could prevent the success of the plan.

The NLC also called for the release of detained protesters, a demand they have made many times before. He urged President Tinubu to release the remaining protesters and take steps to prevent such incidents from happening again.