- The NLC president decried the fact that the current price of fuel is significantly higher than the real market price.
- The NLC noted the apparent CNG infrastructure deficits around the country which may scuttle the entire CNG objectives.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says members in states yet to implement the new minimum wage should begin an indefinite strike on December 1, 2024.
In a communique, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said the directive is part of the resolutions of the union after its national executive council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.
Ajaero said the strike order applies to state councils yet to implement the new minimum wage by November 30, 2024.
He added that this move is aimed to alleviate workers’ economic struggles, including soaring living costs and industry challenges.
“The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act,”he said.
“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 resolved to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and campaign to educate 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 Nov., 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from Dec. 1.”
In July, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill, increasing the workers’ pay package from N30,000 to N70,000, into law.
Meanwhile, the new minimum wage implementation varied across states, with some adopting N70,000, while others pledged amounts higher than the federal mandate.
Speaking further, the NLC accused petroleum marketers of artificially hiking petrol prices, exceeding true market value and exploiting consumers.
The union alleged that petrol marketers exploited Nigerians’ hardship, worsening economic difficulties resulting from government’s harsh policies.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria,” the NLC said.
” 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 to break-up the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have in the industry.”
Ajaero said apparent Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure deficits nationwide threaten to derail the program’s objectives.
“NEC -in- session expressed its appreciation to the federal Government for providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Congress but noted that they are grossly inadequate to address the huge gap in transportation,”he said.
“It also noted the apparent CNG infrastructure deficits around the country which may scuttle the entire CNG objectives.”
The NLC asked the federal government for swift, substantial action to curb rampant inflation and unaffordable basic necessities, beyond mere palliative measures.
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