The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called for an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The demands were contained in an Independence Day statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero on Wednesday and titled, “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take.”
The union said the measures were necessary as workers and other Nigerians continued to face rising costs of transportation, food, rent and education.
The NLC linked the worsening cost-of-living situation to the increase in petrol prices following the removal of the subsidy in 2023. It said petrol was selling for about N1,430 per litre or more in major cities and at higher prices in some remote areas.
According to the union, higher fuel costs have pushed up transportation expenses and subsequently increased the prices of food, school fees, rent and other basic necessities, while workers’ incomes have failed to keep pace.
The labour centre also demanded an immediate nationwide wage award for workers at the federal, state and local government levels, describing it as an emergency measure to address declining real incomes.
The demand follows the October 2023 agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour after the removal of the petrol subsidy. That agreement included a N35,000 monthly wage award for federal workers and called for similar relief to be considered for state and local government employees.
The NLC further accused the government of not fully implementing tax relief measures contained in the October 2023 Memorandum of Understanding with labour. It called for the agreed tax relief to be implemented and negotiations for a new minimum wage to be accelerated.
The union said the current N70,000 minimum wage had already been eroded by inflation and called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to develop a new wage standard for 2027 before the end of the year.
The N70,000 national minimum wage was approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, with the President stating at the time that it would be reviewed after three years.
The NLC also called for lower government spending, greater transparency in public expenditure and increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure.
On petrol subsidy savings, the union questioned whether the resources freed by the policy had translated into improved infrastructure and social services.
The labour body also criticised Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products and called for increased investment in domestic refining capacity.
On social welfare, the NLC demanded affordable public education, functional healthcare facilities and better roads, saying these measures would help reduce pressure on households and improve productivity.
The union also raised concerns about youth unemployment and migration, urging the government to create more opportunities for young Nigerians.
It linked insecurity to economic challenges, noting that violence had affected farming, education and healthcare delivery.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NLC said workers should be free to make independent political choices and warned against electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and rhetoric that could fuel ethnic or religious tensions.
The union said it would use its proposed Workers’ Charter to outline its positions on policies and candidates when appropriate, while insisting that workers’ organisations should not be treated solely as electoral tools.
The NLC said its priorities remained decent wages, safe workplaces, accountability and the protection of workers’ welfare.
Source: PUNCH
