Nigeria labour congress latest news on minimum wage
Here are the latest news and updates on the minimum wage in Nigeria from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC):
Latest Update (February 2023): The NLC has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000 per month for workers. The union has given the government a 14-day ultimatum to comply with the agreement.
Background: In April 2019, the Federal Government signed the new minimum wage bill into law, increasing the minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 per month. However, the implementation of the new wage has been slow, with many states and federal agencies failing to comply.
Recent Developments:
- NLC threatens strike: In January 2023, the NLC gave the government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the new minimum wage, warning that any delay would lead to a nationwide strike.
- States' compliance: As of February 2023, only a few states, including Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, have implemented the new minimum wage. Many other states are yet to comply.
- Federal agencies' compliance: Some federal agencies, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), have implemented the new minimum wage. However, many others, including the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Health, are yet to comply.
- Court cases: The NLC has filed several court cases against states and federal agencies that have failed to implement the new minimum wage. The union is seeking enforcement of the law and compensation for workers who have been denied the new wage.
Key Quotes:
- "We are giving the government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the new minimum wage. If they fail to comply, we will embark on a nationwide strike." - Ayuba Wabba, NLC President
- "We are not going to tolerate any further delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that workers receive their rightful wages." - Joe Ajaero, NLC General Secretary
Sources:
- Vanguard News
- Punch News
- The Nation Newspaper
- NLC Official Website