NLC Issues Ultimatum To States On Minimum Wage Implementation, Criticises Fuel Price Hikes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has set a deadline of 1 December 2024 for state governments to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000. In a communique released on Sunday, following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the NLC highlighted widespread economic hardships affecting Nigerians and issued a strong warning to states lagging behind on the wage increase.
The communique criticised fuel marketers, accusing them of inflating petrol prices and driving up costs beyond the true market value. The NLC alleged that Nigerians are being exploited, suffering heightened hardship and hunger due to policies that, in its view, are increasingly pushing citizens into destitution.
The new minimum wage, approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, raised the wage floor from N30,000 to N70,000. However, implementation across the country has been gradual. While more than 20 states have already adopted the new wage and some have committed to paying even higher, several others remain uncommitted. To address these disparities, the NLC has directed its state councils in non-compliant areas to commence an indefinite strike beginning 1 December if the wage is not fully implemented by that date.
“The NEC has resolved to establish a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee,” the communique stated, “to assess, mobilise, and educate workers and the public on the importance of resisting what we see as an assault on their dignity and rights.”
The NLC expressed frustration with the current pricing of petrol, accusing industry stakeholders of artificially inflating prices. The communique pointed to the ongoing conflict between marketers and the Dangote Group, which has highlighted discrepancies in petrol pricing. It also raised concerns about delays in reactivating domestic refineries, speculating that economic power brokers are hindering local production.
“The NEC noted with growing dismay the excessive pricing of petrol,” the NLC stated. “It appears that Nigerian workers and the general populace are being overcharged by industry players, which may explain the delay in restarting public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. We demand appropriate petrol pricing and call for these refineries to be brought back online as soon as possible.”
The NLC’s actions underscore its commitment to securing economic justice for Nigerians, holding fuel marketers and the government accountable, and pressing for urgent reforms to ease the burden on citizens.
