President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero has urged workers in the country to get ready to fight to ensure that the new N70,000 minimum wage is implemented.
The NLC leader made this assertion on Wednesday at a two day workshop in Lagos organised by NLC for Congress’ state councils from the South. The event was supported by Fredrich Ebert Stiftung, FES, and the International Labour Organisation, ILO.
The theme of the workshop was “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.”
The labour leader’s remark comes after some state governments said they don’t have the capacity to pay.
This has given rise to fears among workers that the implementation will face hiccups.
Speaking Ajaero said the fight for new wage for Nigerian workers is not yet over until the wage, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July this year is paid to workers.
Part of what Ajaero said: “The wage of a single worker often sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities. It is not merely a pay-check; it is the lifeblood of society. When we fight for better wages, we are not asking for charity. We are fulfilling a sacred duty—to build a vibrant economy, to uplift the nation, and to secure the dignity of work. This is a divine responsibility, one that we are bound by conscience and duty to carry out.
“On the 3rd of this month, we were in Kano where we kicked off this workshop beginning with the Northern zone and now, we are here for the Southern zone. And, as we gather here today, just as I told them in Kano, know that the eyes of every worker are upon us. They depend on our courage, our resolve, and our unity to carry their voices to the negotiation tables that await us.
“We all followed the battle that led to the new National Minimum Wage act. We saw the threats, the drama, the propaganda, and the unrelenting attempts to weaken our cause. We were called names, vilified, and faced with all manners of intimidation. But we did not bow. We stood strong. We sacrificed, not just for ourselves, but for every worker in this country.
“Yet, 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, from the largest cities to the smallest villages. If we faced such fierce opposition at the negotiation stage, then know that the road ahead will not be any easier. Be prepared for insults, threats, and attempts to blackmail you.”
The federal government said last week that the implementation of the new minimum wage takes off from July.
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