NLC Orders Workers in Abia, FCT, Kaduna, and 11 Other States to Begin Strike

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in Abia, FCT, Kaduna, and 11 other states to proceed on strike over unresolved labor issues.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in 14 states to begin an indefinite strike starting Monday due to the failure to implement the new minimum wage and the ongoing payment of outdated salaries.

In July, President Bola Tinubu enacted the new Minimum Wage Act, increasing the national monthly minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. This decision followed prolonged negotiations involving government officials, organized labor groups, and private sector representatives. Initially pushing for a raise to N250,000 per month by labor unions was eventually settled at N70,000 through these discussions.

Although the law was enacted almost six months ago, only 23 states have adopted the new wage structure. This leaves out several regions, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

READ ALSO: NLC Orders Nationwide Strike Over Non-Implementation of Minimum Wage

In a statement released on Friday, the NLC observed:

Please remember that the National Executive Council (NEC), during their meeting in Port Harcourt on November 8, 2024, instructed industrial action to begin by the end of November in any state failing to implement the new national minimum wage. This stance was further supported by the Central Working Committee (CWC) at a gathering in Kano on November 27, 2024.

Based on the information we have, it appears that some states have not yet begun implementing the changes. Workers are still being paid according to the old structure, and no current agreement indicates when these implementations will start.

The states are: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina. Also included are the Oyo and Sokoto States along with Yobe and Zamfara.

We ask that you instruct your state councils in the specified states to take appropriate actions to enforce the implementation as decided by the NEC and CWC.

We kindly request that you provide us with copies of your letters to your state councils on this matter for effective mobilization.

The NLC stressed that the purpose of the strike is to advocate for complete adherence to the minimum wage law and resolve workers’ complaints about postponed salary increases.