NLC directs workers in minimum wage defaulting states to begin strike December 1

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed state councils where the N70,000 new minimum wage is not being fully implemented to begin an indefinite strike from December 1, 2024.

This came as NLC called on the Federal Government to review all perceived anti-people policies lamenting that the policies were forcing Nigerians into destitution.

NLC in a communiqué by its President, Joe Ajaero at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Port Harcourt Rivers State, also warned that it would not accept a situation where Rivers State workers were made victims of the ongoing political crisis in the state by withholding fund meant for payment of workers’ salaries and other benefits.

The communiqué read: “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 December 1, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”

On the worsening economic hardship, “The NEC observes, with profound concern, the accelerating economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerian citizens. Inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of necessities spiralling beyond the reach of the average worker.

“Millions of Nigerians are being driven into destitution, forced to choose daily between feeding their families and seeking healthcare. Access to energy has become a mirage while workers become increasingly poorer even as they work longer hours to meet their other basic needs. As a result, nutritional diseases like Kwashiorkor and Marasmus have resurfaced in Nigeria.

“NLC demands immediate, concrete interventions from the Federal Government, not token measures, to relieve this suffering. We call for the implementation of comprehensive social protection policies that shield Nigerians from poverty, provide affordable healthcare, and ensure a wage that reflects the true cost of living. To this end, we call for a wage review across the nation including a review of all the policies that have rather emasculated Nigerian people.”

On the political situation in Rivers State and unjust withholding of its revenue, the communiqué said: “The NEC condemns the disturbing political situation in Rivers State, where a recent court order seeks to block the disbursement of federally allocated revenue to the state. This punitive move, under the guise of legal recourse, may effectively cripple the state’s capacity to meet its obligations to workers and the wider population.

“Such a development is nothing short of an attack on the rights and welfare of the people of Rivers State and a dangerous precedent that could destabilize governance in any other state.

“The NLC stands in solidarity with the workers and people of Rivers State. We demand an immediate resolution that allows the state to continue to have unfettered access to its rightful revenue allocations.

“Nigerian workers will not stand waiting while their livelihoods are threatened by political manoeuvrings and vindictive actions. We are not interested in the politics of who is right or wrong but only in protecting the interests of workers and the people. We must learn to separate “politicking” from existential issues as politics that hurts workers and the people cannot be the best for our nation. The Congress warns that the failure of the various institutions and actors to rein in themselves may lead to our escalating our response.”

On the growing threats to democracy and workers’ rights, the communiqué said: “The NEC expresses grave alarm at the increasing erosion of democratic norms and blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian people to freely organize, associate, and express dissent. Arrests, detention and trials on questionable grounds have become the order of the day.

“We applaud the President of the federation for his recent interventions in this regard. However, NEC in session further calls on the President to release all remaining protesters in various jails across the nation as we had severally demanded earlier and create adequate safeguards to avert future occurrence.

On the Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, “NEC -in- session expressed its appreciation to the Federal Government for providing CNG buses to Congress but noted that they are grossly inadequate to address the huge gap in transportation-focused on reducing costs for workers who daily commute to work. It also noted the apparent CNG infrastructure deficits around the country which may scuttle the entire CNG objectives.

“Consequently, NEC demanded the provision of more CNG buses to Congress and establish the needed infrastructure for fuelling and maintenance to provide cheaper transportation to Nigerian workers across the nation.”

The communiqué added that “The Nigeria Labour Congress remains unwavering in its commitment to the wellbeing and dignity of Nigerian workers. The NEC reiterates its readiness to confront these injustices with every tool at our disposal. Our resolve is unshakeable, and our demand is clear: a Nigeria where workers are respected, their rights upheld, and their futures secure.”