The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued an ultimatum to state governments, directing them to implement the new national minimum wage by December 1, 2024. This order was made by NLC President Joe Ajaero after a meeting of the National Executive Council in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The NLC is very unhappy with the slow pace of putting the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act into practice, calling it “unlawful and unfair.” Ajaero said that not following this rule has made it even harder for Nigerian workers who are already struggling with higher prices and living costs.
To address this issue, the NLC plans to take strong steps against state governments that don’t follow the new wage rules, starting with strikes on December 1. They have also set up a committee to check if the rules are being followed and to run public awareness campaigns.
The NLC is also worried about increasing prices, saying that wages need to be updated right away and social protection plans are important. Ajaero pointed out that the federal government hasn’t provided enough buses that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and that the country needs more CNG infrastructure.
The NLC also wants the release of protesters who have been detained and is asking President Bola Tinubu to make sure measures are in place to stop similar things from happening again.
