The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the N70,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government was accepted to avert a threatened further hike in the price of petrol, which it said would inflict more hardship on the already suffering masses.

A communiqué issued after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC on Friday in Abuja, said that the decision to accept the new wage figure was challenging and far from labour’s initial demand of N250,000.

The communiqué, which was signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, however, said the decision was made in the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice for Nigerian masses.

The NEC-in-session demanded full and strict compliance by all to the dictates of the National Minimum Wage 2024 when it becomes an Act, even as it restated the commitment of the NLC to continue to stand resolutely in its mission to defend and advance the rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerian people at all times.

The council applauded the doggedness of the leadership of the congress for their courage and forthrightness with which the national minimum wage fixing exercise was handled.

It, therefore, called on all Nigerians to unite and hold leaders accountable to the same standards of sacrifice and service.