The Nigeria Labour Congress has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The ultimatum begins Friday, 9th October, and was issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja.
The labour body warned that failure to meet its demands could lead to further action by workers.
The NLC demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level they were when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
“The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship of workers and the masses,” the NLC said.
The union also criticised the wider economic situation, saying, “Inflation continues to soar unabated, the naira remains traumatised, wages have been rendered worthless, and the cost of living has become unbearable.”
The demand comes as the government introduces new measures aimed at easing fuel-price pressure, including a 30-day discount at NNPC stations and a proposed ₦1,350 ceiling on petrol’s landing cost.
The NLC also said the current minimum wage has lost much of its value because of rising living costs and the depreciation of the naira.
The Congress wants negotiations for a new minimum wage to begin before the end of October.
It also demanded tax relief and immediate wage awards for workers, describing these measures as “the bare minimum required to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and restore a measure of dignity to their lives.”
Comments
Add a comment