The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is rallying its state councils to brace for significant challenges as public sector workers await the implementation of the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage.
NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized that securing the wage increase is only a preliminary victory; the true challenge lies in ensuring its full implementation for all workers.
During a two-day workshop in Lagos, organized in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Ajaero reiterated the importance of fair wages.
“The wage of a single worker often sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities,” he stated. “When we fight for better wages, we are not asking for charity; we are fulfilling a sacred duty.”
Reflecting on the arduous journey to secure the new minimum wage, Ajaero noted the numerous obstacles faced, including threats and vilification. “We were called names and faced intimidation, but we stood strong,” he recalled.
“Winning the fight for a new minimum wage is not enough. We must now ensure that it is implemented in full, so that its benefits reach every corner of Nigeria.”
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Ajaero warned of the challenges that lie ahead, including potential opposition and attempts at blackmail. “If we faced such fierce opposition at the negotiation stage, know that the road ahead will not be any easier,” he cautioned.
“Our members’ trust and hopes rest in our hands; their meals, homes, and children’s education depend on our ability to fight for them.”
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The workshop aims to equip union leaders with strategies to ensure the effective delivery of the new wage. “Our goal is not just to celebrate the passage of the law; we want every worker to feel its impact in their daily lives,” Ajaero declared, urging participants to remain resolute and focused.
He also warned that any state council or official found colluding with employers to deny workers their entitlements under the new law would face appropriate sanctions. Ajaero expressed gratitude to FES and the ILO for their ongoing support, reinforcing the need for unity among union members.
“Together, we will overcome. Together, we will deliver the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to our members, no matter the challenges,” he added.
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