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‘Nigerian Govt Betrayed Us’ – NLC Fights Back Against Fuel Price Hike, Wage Disparities

Published

3 months ago

Sep 20, 2024.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced its intention to engage the federal government in discussions on strategies to help workers cope with the recent surge in petrol prices, which the union claims has diminished the anticipated benefits of the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made this announcement during the opening ceremony of a two-day “Minimum Wage Implementation Workshop” for the Southern Zone, held in Lagos.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the workshop, themed “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act,” aims to tackle the challenges of wage implementation amidst growing economic difficulties for workers.

Ajaero expressed his frustration, stating that the recent petrol price hike has eroded the value of the minimum wage, which is yet to be fully implemented.

He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of misleading organized labour into accepting the ₦70,000 minimum wage with the false assurance that it would prevent further fuel price increases.

NLC Fuel Price Wage

Ajaero recounted the negotiations with the President, highlighting how the government initially proposed a ₦250,000 minimum wage in exchange for allowing a petrol price hike. However, the NLC rejected the offer, fearing it would exacerbate the economic hardship for Nigerians.

Ajaero also mentioned that President Tinubu had suggested funding a tour for the NLC to visit West African countries where petrol prices are significantly higher.

However, the NLC declined, insisting that the focus should remain on addressing the minimum wage issue without further complicating matters with fuel price hikes.

The NLC President concluded by noting the difficulties faced in negotiations, particularly with private sector employers who resisted the ₦70,000 minimum wage, creating a challenging environment for reaching a consensus.