The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members to embark on an industrial action in 15 states, including Oyo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 13 others, effective Monday, December 2, 2024.
The decision follows the failure of these states to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The affected states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. It is understood that workers in these states have reportedly continued to receive wages based on the outdated salary structure, with no concrete agreements or timelines for implementing the updated structure.
According to the NLC, the decision to embark on industrial action was made following resolutions made by the National Executive Council (NEC) in Port Harcourt on November 8 and reaffirmed by the Central Working Committee (CWC) in Kano on November 27, 2024. The action is aimed at compelling compliance with the wage structure agreed upon nationally.
In a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC General Secretary, the Congress expressed its disappointment over the non-compliance. “Failure to commence implementation by the end of November 2024 leaves us no option but to enforce industrial action as directed by NEC and CWC,” the statement reads in part.
The NLC also warned state leaders, emphasizing that the directive must be implemented immediately. “Non-compliance will attract dire consequences,” the statement added.
The Congress also urged state chapters to report progress or fresh developments to its leadership promptly.
It is worth noting that President Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law in July 2024 after months of negotiations involving the government, labour unions, and the private sector.
(Politics Nigeria)