We are still grappling with the issue of minimum age across the country despite assurances from stakeholders that we are no longer having differences on the matter.
It is not surprising therefore that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has given state governments an ultimatum of December 1, 2024, to implement the new minimum wage, giving room to fresh national contestation between the stakeholders.
The labour centre also accused fuel marketers of inflating petrol prices, claiming the pump price is significantly higher than the actual market value.
It is with pain that the NLC contended that Nigerians were being exploited, with citizens enduring heightened suffering and hunger due to government policies which keep pushing many into destitution.
In a communique released recently, following its National Executive Council meeting, the NLC highlighted the severe economic hardship across the country and called for an urgent review of policies it described as “anti-people”.
The NLC further directed state councils where the new minimum wage is not yet implemented to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024, in protest against the unaddressed labour issues.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000.
However, the implementation across states has been gradual, with some still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
While a number of states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate. For those states that have implemented the new deal, we commend their prompt response.
It is on record that in the first week of November, about only 20 states had reportedly implemented the new minimum wage.
According to NLC, “NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilisation and sensitisation campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights”.
We find these unnecessary contention as an undue distraction when we are working hard to deal with several other disturbing national concerns. As usual we contend that the labourer is entitled to his wage, it is therefore incongruous that workers would still be treated with some indecency despite negotiated agreements which spanned several months.
We urge state governments to brace up to the challenge and pay their workers as agreed, to avoid unhealthy industrial crises. There are already numerous worries for the polity that require urgent attention.
It is within the purview of the Federal Government, National Wage Commission and the labour unions to arrive at the new minimum wage. It would be out of place for the states to renege on these agreements made.
It is worrisome that states often renege when it comes to matters of national negotiations where they are expected to take the front seat in handling such matters, given that they are closer to the grassroots. From N30,000 to N70,000 we see this a modest increase in the minimum wage and should not be a burden for the states. They should stop shortchanging their workers who belong to an exalted class.
All states should pay the new minimum wage in the interest equity and justice since they have been receiving their allocations as at when due.
