By Ade Oyeyemi
The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the Federal Government to urgently reduce the price of petrol, introduce a nationwide wage award and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage, citing the growing pressure of inflation on workers and households.
The NLC made the demands in an Independence Day message signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
The statement, titled “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take,” said the rising cost of transportation, food, rent and education had continued to erode workers’ purchasing power.
The labour centre particularly blamed the sharp increase in petrol prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023 for worsening the cost-of-living crisis.
The NLC said petrol was selling at about N1,430 per litre or more in major cities, with prices reportedly higher in some remote areas.
It argued that higher fuel costs had a ripple effect across the economy, pushing up transportation expenses and, consequently, the prices of food, school fees, rent and other basic necessities.
“Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile,” the union said.
NLC demands nationwide wage award
The labour body also demanded an immediate wage award for workers across the federal, state and local government levels.
It described the proposed intervention as necessary to cushion workers from the decline in the real value of their earnings, rather than an act of government generosity.
“A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the NLC said.
The demand follows the October 2023 agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour after the removal of the petrol subsidy. The agreement included a N35,000 monthly wage award for federal workers and consideration of similar measures for state and local government employees.
The NLC also accused the government of failing to fully implement tax relief measures contained in the agreement and urged the authorities to honour the commitments reached during the dialogue with labour.
Labour seeks new minimum wage for 2027
The union further called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
It argued that the purchasing power of the existing N70,000 minimum wage had been severely weakened by inflation.
“The current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,” the NLC said.
President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage in July 2024 and said at the time that the figure would be reviewed after three years.
The NLC wants negotiations for the next wage regime to begin before the end of 2026 so that a new standard can be formulated and legislated ahead of its proposed 2027 implementation.
Union questions subsidy savings
The labour centre also demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, greater transparency in public spending and increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other social infrastructure.
It questioned the extent to which savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy had translated into improved public services.
“Government claimed subsidy removal would free up resources for infrastructure and social services. Three years later, petrol prices have multiplied several times over, yet the promised infrastructure and social services remain mirages. Where exactly did the subsidy savings go?” the union asked.
The NLC also criticised Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products and called for greater investment in domestic refining.
It argued that increased domestic refining capacity would help reduce the country’s exposure to international petroleum market pressures.
NLC raises concern over jobs, insecurity
On social welfare, the union called for affordable and quality public education, functional healthcare facilities and improved roads, saying these services would reduce pressure on households.
The NLC also raised concerns about youth unemployment and migration, urging the government to create more opportunities for young Nigerians.
“The government must create genuine opportunities so that young people can see hope instead of being preached to about hope,” it said.
The labour centre linked insecurity with the country’s economic difficulties, saying violence had disrupted farming, education and healthcare in affected communities.
It argued that poverty, unemployment, inequality and insecurity were interconnected problems requiring coordinated government action.
NLC speaks on 2027 elections
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NLC called for workers to be allowed to exercise their political choices independently.
The union warned against electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and rhetoric capable of aggravating ethnic or religious tensions.
It said its proposed Workers’ Charter would, at the appropriate time, outline its positions on policies and political candidates.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress will, at the appropriate time, use our Workers’ Charter to make it clear which policies and candidates deserve the support of the working class,” Ajaero said.
He, however, stressed that workers’ organisations should not be treated merely as instruments for electoral mobilisation.
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“Workers have the right to independent political thoughts, judgement, and choice,” he said.
The NLC said its priorities remained decent wages, safe working conditions, accountability and the protection of workers’ welfare as Nigeria enters another year of independence.
