“Be Prepared for Insults, Threats, and Blackmail” – NLC President Warns on N70,000 Minimum Wage Implementation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to its state councils, urging them to prepare for a challenging fight to ensure the full implementation of the newly established N70,000 national minimum wage. This caution came during a two-day workshop in Lagos for NLC’s Southern state councils, organized in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasized that winning the battle for a new minimum wage is just the first step; the real challenge lies in ensuring that the wage is properly implemented for the benefit of workers across Nigeria. Ajaero stated that the responsibility now rests on the state councils to ensure that the new wage law reaches every worker, from the largest cities to the most remote villages.

“The wage of a single worker sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities. It is not merely a paycheck; it is the lifeblood of society,” Ajaero told the gathering. He warned that implementing the wage would be met with significant resistance, much like the negotiations that led to its approval.

The NLC President pointed out that the union had faced intense opposition, including threats, propaganda, and attempts to undermine its cause during the negotiation process. Despite these challenges, Ajaero assured that the NLC remains resolute in its mission to secure fair wages for all Nigerian workers, regardless of the obstacles ahead.

“Be prepared for insults, threats, and blackmail,” Ajaero warned state labour leaders, underscoring the seriousness of the impending struggle. He called on them to remain united and focused, reminding them that the well-being of workers and their families depends on their courage and determination to push for full implementation.

The workshop, themed “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act,” aims to provide state labour leaders with the necessary tools to navigate the anticipated difficulties in enforcing the new wage. Ajaero also emphasized that any state council or official found colluding with employers to deny workers their rights under the new wage law would face strict sanctions.

As the federal government works on the template for implementing the new wage, the NLC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian workers receive the full benefits of the N70,000 minimum wage, regardless of the challenges ahead.

Ajaero also expressed gratitude to FES and the ILO for their continued support in the fight for workers’ rights in Nigeria.