NLC Sounds Alarm: Rough Road Ahead for New Minimum Wage Implementation

• Insists no matter challenges, ₦70,000 wage’ll be executed
• Urges State Labour Leaders to Prepare for a Tough Battle

As public sector workers eagerly await the federal government’s implementation of the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning to its state councils, urging them to brace for a tough battle to ensure full enforcement.

The NLC emphasized that securing a new minimum wage is only part of the struggle, with the primary challenge now being the complete and effective implementation for the benefit of all workers.

These key points were raised by NLC President Joe Ajaero during his address to the Congress’ state councils from the southern region at a two-day workshop in Lagos. The event, organized by the NLC in partnership with Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), focused on “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.”

Ajaero highlighted the importance of wages in sustaining workers and their communities. “The wage of a single worker often sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities. It is not merely a paycheck; it is the lifeblood of society,” he said. He stressed that the fight for better wages is not a plea for charity but a “sacred duty” to build a strong economy and secure workers’ dignity.

The NLC president reminded participants that, following a similar workshop in Kano for the northern zone, the weight of workers’ expectations now rests on the shoulders of the labour leaders. “As we gather here today, just as I told them in Kano, know that the eyes of every worker are upon us. They depend on our courage, our resolve, and our unity to carry their voices to the negotiation tables that await us.”

Reflecting on the difficult journey to the new National Minimum Wage Act, Ajaero recounted the “threats, drama, propaganda, and unrelenting attempts” to derail the movement. Despite the hostility faced, the NLC stood firm. “We sacrificed, not just for ourselves, but for every worker in this country.”

However, Ajaero warned that achieving the wage increase was only the beginning. The battle ahead lies in ensuring that every worker, from the cities to rural communities, feels the impact of the new minimum wage. “If we faced such fierce opposition at the negotiation stage, then know that the road ahead will not be any easier. Be prepared for insults, threats, and attempts to blackmail you,” he cautioned.

He called on workers and labour leaders to remain focused and resolute, stating that the future of workers and their families depends on their determination. “Their meals, their homes, their children’s education depend on our ability to fight for them.”

The workshop, according to Ajaero, is aimed at equipping labour leaders with the necessary tools to ensure the successful implementation of the new wage. He warned that any state council or official found colluding with employers to deny workers their rightful wages, whether in the public or private sector, would face sanctions.

Ajaero also expressed gratitude to the FES and ILO for their continued support to the NLC, underscoring their importance in the fight for workers’ rights.

The NLC is prepared to face significant opposition, but its leadership remains committed to ensuring that the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act is fully implemented, no matter the challenges ahead.

This article is sourced from The Vanguard newspaper, with minor edits and adaptations by The Spectacles for clarity and readability.