By israel Ajenu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued an ultimatum to state governments, mandating the enforcement of the new minimum wage by December 1, 2024.
It also censured fuel marketers, accusing them of artificial price inflation in petrol, contending that the pump price vastly exceeds the commodity’s genuine market value.
The NLC asserted that Nigerians are enduring undue exploitation, with countless citizens beset by escalating hardship and destitution due to government policies that have exacerbated poverty nationwide.
In a communiqué released on Sunday following its National Executive Council meeting, the NLC highlighted the profound economic distress enveloping the nation and called for an immediate review of policies it described as “anti-people.”
The NLC further directed state councils where the new minimum wage is not yet implemented to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, in protest against the unaddressed labour issues.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000. However, the implementation across states has been gradual, with some still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
While a number of states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.
As of the first week of November, more than 20 states have announced the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and sensitisation 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 the 1st day of December 2024.
“Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the communiqué read.
The NLC’s stance underscored its heightened concerns over the economic duress imposed on Nigerians and its dedication to holding both fuel marketers and government authorities accountable for citizens’ welfare.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol in Nigeria.
“It observed that there may be a gang-up against Nigerians by fat cats in the industry as the current price of the product is significantly higher than the real market price.
“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day considering the revelations from the ongoing controversy between Marketers and Dangote group.
“It is entirely possible that Nigerian workers and masses are being ripped off by those who control the levers of economic power in Nigeria which explains why the domestic public refineries may not immediately be allowed to come on stream.
“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the Public domestic refineries in PH, Warri and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream,” it added.
