States affected by the directive include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
By Christian Appolos
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared industrial action in Oyo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 13 other states, effective Monday, December 2, 2024, following the failure of these states to implement the new national minimum wage.
This decision follows resolutions made by the National Executive Council (NEC) in pPort Harcourt on November 8 and reaffirmed by the Central Working Committee (CWC) in Kano on November 27, 2024. The action is aimed at compelling compliance with the wage structure agreed upon nationally.
States affected by the directive include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. Workers in these states have reportedly continued to receive wages based on the outdated salary structure, with no concrete agreements or timelines for implementing the updated structure.
In a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC General Secretary, the Congress expressed its disappointment over the non-compliance, stressing the seriousness of the matter.
The statement reads in part: “Failure to commence implementation by the end of November 2024 leaves us no option but to enforce industrial action as directed by NEC and CWC. We will hold state leadership accountable for this breach.”
The NLC also issued a stern warning to state leaders, emphasising that the directive must be implemented immediately. “Non-compliance will attract dire consequences,” the statement added, noting that the full weight of the Congress would be brought to bear on erring states. The Congress also urged state chapters to report progress or fresh developments to its leadership promptly.
This looming strike has the potential to paralyze critical sectors across the affected states, heightening tensions between state governments and labor unions. The NLC’s action is a clear signal of its resolve to ensure that Nigerian workers receive fair treatment and the wages due to them under the 2024 agreement.