The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced an industrial strike in Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory, and 13 other states starting Monday, December 2, 2024.
The strike is in protest against the failure of these states to implement the new national minimum wage agreed upon earlier this year.
The affected states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. According to the NLC, workers in these states are still being paid based on an outdated salary structure, with no clear agreements or timelines for the new structure’s implementation.
In a statement signed by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress expressed its dissatisfaction with the state governments’ lack of action. “Failure to commence implementation by the end of November 2024 leaves us no option but to enforce industrial action as directed by NEC and CWC. We will hold state leadership accountable for this breach,” the statement read.
The strike decision follows resolutions made by the NLC National Executive Council in Port Harcourt on November 8 and reaffirmed by the Central Working Committee in Kano on November 27, 2024.
The NLC also issued a strong warning to state governments, urging them to comply immediately with the minimum wage directive. “Non-compliance will attract dire consequences,” the Congress warned, adding that its leadership is ready to take decisive actions against defaulters.
The impending strike could disrupt key sectors across the affected states, including schools, banks, and government services. The NLC emphasized that this move is necessary to ensure that Nigerian workers receive fair wages under the 2024 agreement.
Workers and state chapters have been directed to report progress or new developments to the NLC leadership as the strike begins. The Congress’s resolve sends a clear message about its commitment to fighting for the welfare of Nigerian workers.
