NLC DEMANDS NEW MINIMUM WAGE, LOWER PETROL PRICES

The Nigeria Labour Congress 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 NLC made the demands in an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, saying rising costs of transportation, food, rent and education had significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.

The union said petrol prices of about N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities had increased transportation costs and contributed to higher prices of essential goods and services.

It called on the Federal Government to address the impact of fuel costs across the economy, arguing that efforts to reduce the cost of living would have limited effect without tackling transportation expenses.

The NLC also demanded an immediate nationwide wage award for workers at the federal, state and local government levels, describing it as an emergency measure to support workers whose real incomes have declined.

The union further urged the government to implement tax relief measures agreed with labour in October 2023 and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

According to the NLC, the current N70,000 minimum wage has already been eroded by inflation. It called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to develop a new wage standard for 2027.

The labour body also demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, greater transparency in public spending and increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure.

It questioned the impact of savings from petrol subsidy removal, arguing that Nigerians had yet to see sufficient improvements in infrastructure and social services.

The NLC also called for greater investment in domestic oil refining, improved public education and healthcare, better roads and measures to tackle youth unemployment and migration.

On insecurity, the union said violence had worsened economic challenges by disrupting farming, education and healthcare, adding that poverty, unemployment, inequality and insecurity needed to be addressed together.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the NLC said workers should be free to make independent political choices and urged stakeholders to avoid electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and rhetoric that could inflame ethnic or religious tensions.