‘Workers facing hardship’ — NLC demands full enforcement of new minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the full enforcement of the N70,000 national minimum wage.

Speaking during the Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja on Thursday, Joe Ajaero, the NLC president, said workers are facing severe economic hardship due to deteriorating living conditions.

Ajaero expressed concern over the worsening plight of Nigerian workers, who, he said, are at a crossroads due to “anti-workers policies”.

He noted that despite the enactment of the minimum wage act, several states and private organisations are yet to implement the legislation, exacerbating the struggles of workers across the country.

The NLC president stressed that the law must be obeyed, urging unions to push for not only compliance but also a comprehensive wage review to address the increasing hardship faced by workers.

“The Nigerian worker stands against the backdrop of rising inequality, job losses, and deteriorating living standards,” NAN quoted Ajaero as saying.

“Capitalism continues to widen the gap between the rich and poor, while the state appears to enforce the policies of international financial institutions to the detriment of workers.

“The law must be obeyed. We must begin a fresh push for not just compliance, but also for a comprehensive wage review to mitigate the hardship faced by Nigerian workers.

“Our liberation will not be gifted, it must be won. The ruling class fears our unity, and we must continue to build a movement that demands its rightful share, not just crumbs,

“No to hunger! No to hardship! No to bad governance! These must be our rallying cries.

“We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity, and we must never be complicit.”