The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a statement on the country's 66th Independence Day, demanding an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award, and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The union, led by its President, Joe Ajaero, stated that the demands are necessary due to the rising cost of living, which has eroded workers' purchasing power. The NLC linked the worsening cost-of-living crisis to the increase in petrol prices following the removal of the subsidy in 2023.
Petrol prices have surged to N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and even more in remote areas, according to the NLC. The union argued that the Federal Government should urgently address the transmission of fuel costs to transportation and other areas of the economy. The NLC stated that without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile. The union also demanded the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award covering workers in the federal, state, and local governments.
The NLC's demands come against the backdrop of the October 2023 agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour following the removal of the petrol subsidy. The agreement provided for a N35,000 monthly wage award for federal workers and called for consideration of similar relief for state and local government workers. However, the NLC accused the government of failing to fully implement tax relief measures contained in the October 2023 Memorandum of Understanding with labour.
The union called on the government to deliver the tax relief agreed during the dialogue and expedite negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The current N70,000 minimum wage was approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, with the President saying at the time that it would be reviewed after three years. The NLC stated that the current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented.
The NLC further demanded the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to formulate and legislate a new wage standard for 2027 before the end of the year. The union also called for a reduction in the cost of governance, greater transparency in public spending, and increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools, and other social infrastructure. The NLC stated that when workers are asked to tighten their belts, the extravagance and waste of the governing class are unacceptable.
The union questioned the failure to translate savings from the petrol subsidy removal into improved infrastructure and social services. The NLC criticised Nigeria's continued reliance on imported refined petroleum products while calling for greater investment in domestic refining capacity. The union also raised concerns over youth unemployment and migration, stating that the government must create opportunities that would give young Nigerians reasons to remain in the country.
The NLC stated that its focus would remain on decent wages, safe workplaces, accountability, and the protection of workers' welfare. The union said it would use its proposed Workers' Charter to articulate its positions on policies and candidates when appropriate. The NLC warned against electoral manipulation, voter intimidation, and rhetoric capable of provoking ethnic or religious tensions, and stressed that workers' organisations should not be treated merely as electoral tools.
Key points
- The Nigeria Labour Congress demands an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award, and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
- The union criticised the government's failure to fully implement tax relief measures and called for greater investment in domestic refining capacity.
- The NLC stressed that workers' organisations should not be treated merely as electoral tools and warned against electoral manipulation.
