The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticizes the recent petrol price hike, stating it has rendered the ₦70,000 minimum wage ineffective. NLC President Joe Ajaero revealed that President Tinubu's promises were misleading, and workers are struggling to cope with economic hardship caused by rising fuel prices and inflation.
stating that the increase has negated the impact of the ₦70,000 minimum wage agreement. NLC President Joe Ajaero, during a workshop in Lagos, revealed that organized labour felt betrayed by President Bola Tinubu, who had assured them that the wage increase would alleviate the effects of the subsidy removal.
Ajaero emphasized that Nigerians are suffering from the combined effects of inflation, poverty, and the rising cost of living. He also disclosed that during wage negotiations, President Tinubu offered an even higher minimum wage of ₦250,000, but the labour unions rejected it, citing that salary hikes wouldn’t solve the underlying economic problems.
The NLC leader criticized the government’s distraction tactics, which included accusations against labour for financing terrorism. These allegations, Ajaero said, have shifted attention away from the core issues of rising fuel prices and the economic hardship affecting Nigerians.
The NLC plans to meet with the federal government to explore ways workers can cope with these challenges, but the labour body remains firm in its stance that the current petrol price is unsustainable for Nigerian workers, rendering the new minimum wage inadequate.
