The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has lamented the lackadaisical attitude of some state governments in implementing the new minimum wage.
It has also given the government an ultimatum of November 30th, to begin the implementation or risk an indefinite strike.
The Congress announced its resolve after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.
The strike is expected to begin from the 1st of December 2024, and will reportedly, run till the minimum wage is implemented across all states of the Federation.
The Labour Congress described the refusal of some governors to implement the minimum wage as a betrayal, adding that it is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers.
It further lamented that workers have continued to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship, and condemned the government for exploiting the people they are supposed to protect.
The communique released after the meeting reads in part, “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.
“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.”
