The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to launch a targeted enforcement campaign against private sector employers who fail to comply with the newly approved N70,000 national minimum wage law, particularly within the unorganised and informal sectors.
The NLC disclosed this initiative in a statement by its Assistant Secretary-General, Onyeka Christopher, who lamented that while compliance in the public sector is relatively stable, the private sector — especially the informal economy — remains riddled with violations.
“We’re now shifting our focus to the private sector,” Christopher said in an exclusive with The PUNCH. “Some Nigerians are still earning as low as N15,000 to N20,000 monthly — well below the legal minimum. That’s where the real breach lies, and it is unacceptable.”
The national minimum wage was revised upward from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024 following protracted negotiations between labour unions and the federal government in response to inflation, subsidy removal, and high living costs. The new wage law also mandates a review every three years instead of the previous five-year cycle.
Despite the increase, implementation remains inconsistent. The NLC emphasized that it would begin naming and shaming defaulting employers while engaging with regulators to apply sanctions, including legal actions.
The labour union noted that workers in the informal sector — which includes artisans, domestic staff, drivers, factory workers, and daily wage earners — are most vulnerable to wage abuse due to lack of formal contracts or union representation.
“The law covers every Nigerian worker,” Christopher stressed. “Whether you are working in a private hospital, supermarket, or printing press — if you’re on the payroll, the minimum wage law protects you.”
The NLC also called out some state governments for alleged partial or non-implementation of the wage law. While many states reportedly began payment in the last quarter of 2024, others continue to lag, with workers receiving lower-than-approved wages or staggered payments.
“Some states are pretending to comply, but their implementation is flawed. We know this and will take it up with relevant authorities,” said Christopher.
Speaking on the issue, economist Illias Aliyu advised the NLC to look beyond salary reviews and tackle structural economic inefficiencies. “A N1m salary means nothing if inflation keeps wiping away its value,” he said. Aliyu advocated for broader reforms in energy pricing and public sector transparency to restore real income value.
He also called on the NLC to regularly publish compliance reports, spotlighting companies that adhere to or violate the law. “That’s the only way to ensure accountability. Public exposure works,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), which represents private sector employers, has yet to issue a statement in response to the NLC’s proposed crackdown.
In a related development, the NLC’s Central Working Committee urged the federal government to accelerate the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme as a cost-effective alternative to petrol.
In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union said the slow rollout of CNG infrastructure undermines efforts to cushion the effects of transport inflation on workers.
“While we appreciate the donation of CNG buses, we demand a broader nationwide rollout backed by full infrastructure,” the communiqué read. “This will ease mobility pressure and reduce inflationary stress.”
The labour body also expressed concern over worsening insecurity, inflation, and governance challenges in Nigeria. It condemned the removal of labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning that such constitutional amendments would erode national protections for workers.
The NLC further criticised the continued withholding of local government funds in Osun State and alleged union coercion by employers, describing them as attacks on Nigeria’s democracy and workers’ rights.
It concluded by reaffirming its commitment to advocate for democratic values, economic justice, and workers’ welfare nationw