Following the recent signing of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage Act by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned its state council leaders to ensure full implementation or face repercussions.
While some states have started discussions on the wage adjustments required by the new law, many—including the Federal Government—have yet to act.
The challenge now is determine the consequential adjustments and ensure smooth implementation at the state and local government levels.
In anticipation of this, the NLC has launched a training initiative for its state council leaders, aimed at equipping them with effective strategies for negotiating and enforcing the new wage.
The goal is to avoid past mistakes and ensure that all workers benefit from the law.
During a two-day workshop for the Northern Zone, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged state leaders to stay loyal to workers and resist the temptation of personal gain.
He warned that any leader who compromises on the implementation of the minimum wage for selfish interests would face severe consequences.
The NLC President stated that the workshop theme, ‘Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act,’ is designed to prepare the leaders for the task ahead.
He emphasized that the success of the minimum wage is measured only when it reaches all workers, regardless of their location or employment level.
Ajaero said “The choice of the theme for this workshop; ‘Strategies for Effective implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act’ is therefore intended to help prepare us to evolve effective strategies for a successful process during this cycle.
“It is intended to help us learn from our past mistakes and map strategies to effectively deliver the benefits of the Law to our members. As we have pointed out earlier, it is only when our members begin to enjoy its benefits that we beat our chest and exclaim; ‘we have done it’
“Remember comrades, Production they say in Economics is not complete until it reaches the final consumer so this national minimum wage exercise cannot be said to be complete until it reaches all of our members wherever they may be working. Your comrades are the vessels that would be used in delivering this.
“The extent to which you can deliver the expected benefits is dependent on your capacity and your character. Your focus and determination including your resilience and how you can communicate the process to our members in your respective states is very important. The situation to you presents both challenges and opportunities to you.
“However, the overall outcome is going to be dependent on the choices you will make. What those choices will be will largely be determined by what your interests are; either to be a responsible and responsive leader or to lead for yourselves and cronies. You must however remember that any of the choices you make will have its consequences.”