By Divine Sam
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike, effective December 1, 2024, for workers in states that have yet to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. The NLC’s decision follows frustrations over the delay or refusal of some state governments to implement the wage increase, despite the legal requirement. The NLC condemned this non-compliance as a betrayal of workers’ rights and a violation of both legal and moral obligations.
In response, the NLC will establish a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee to mobilize, sensitize, and educate workers and citizens about their rights and the importance of resisting exploitation. Additionally, the NLC demands urgent and substantial interventions from the federal government to address the country’s worsening economic conditions, including inflation and rising costs of living. The NLC is also calling for a nationwide wage review to reflect the true cost of living.
If the minimum wage is not fully implemented by the end of November 2024, the NLC has instructed its state councils to initiate strikes, emphasizing their determination to secure justice for Nigerian workers.