Ajaero gives update on new minimum wage implementation

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has reiterated the union’s commitment to the prompt implementation of the newly-approved N70,000 national minimum wage.

Ajaero made this declaration after his return to the Labour House in Abuja, following an invitation by the police.

Addressing journalists, Ajaero emphasized that the NLC would not be deterred from pursuing workers’ rights. “We have secured the minimum wage, but our fight is far from over. We must ensure its immediate implementation to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers,” he stated.

The Labour Chief, who was invited by the police to address allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. and left shortly after 11:15 a.m.

He asserted that the NLC remains committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and will not be cowed by any form of intimidation.

“We can’t be intimidated,” he stated emphatically. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”

Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero shared, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard. Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it, as far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha… but whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle, we’ve gotten minimum wage but we can’t be intimidated, we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.

“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.