Fresh Labour Crisis Looms Over Non Payment of New Minimum Wage Arrears As Labour Calls for Strike Effective from December
By: Damilola Philips
Although the labour struggles for a new minimum wage have been settled in most of the 36 states of Nigeria, labour is bracing up continued aluta over non payment of arrears of the new minimum wage.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News gathered from reliable labour sources that many states have commenced payment of the new wage last month while some have promised to do so at the end of october.
OTN News further gathered that Imo, Osun and Plateau state governments are yet to commit themselves on how much they are willing to pay and when they plan to commence payments.
OTN News recalls that the Minimum Wage Act took effect from July, 2024, following the signing of the bill by President Bola Tinubu on July 29.
Negotiation between government (Federal and States),organised labour and the private sector on the matter took some time and when it was all over,the state governors asked that they be given till the end of October to enable them put their finances in order.
However, OTN News reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members in states that are yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike, beginning from December 1, 2024.
The directive is part of the resolutions of the NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.
“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.
“The NEC therefore resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation
Committee that will among others commence a nationwide assessment,mobilization and sensitization 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.
The NLC communique read in parts, “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.”
Meanwhile, the NLC has also accused petroleum marketers of inflating the pump price of petrol, which it says is significantly higher than the actual market value.
The NLC allege that petrol marketers are exploiting Nigerians and adding to an already heightened suffering striding from governments harsh economic policies.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) 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.
On the worsening economic situation in the country, the NLC said its NEC observes, with profound concern, the accelerating economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerian citizens.
It noted that inflation continues to rise unchecked, with the costs of basic necessities spiraling beyond the reach of the average worker, among others.
The NLC demanded immediate, concrete interventions from the Federal Government, not token measures, to relieve this suffering.
“We call for the implementation of comprehensive social protection policies that shield Nigerians from poverty, provide affordable healthcare, and ensure a wage that reflects the true cost of living. To this end, we call for a wage review across the nation including a review of all the policies that have rather emasculated Nigerian people.”
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