Subsidy Removal: NLC Demands 200% Wage Award For Workers As Palliative

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has proposed to the Tinubu-led Federal government a 200 per cent Wage Award to workers as part of measures to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal which has been causing hardship to Nigerians.

While speaking on Monday night, September 18, the president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, said the wage grant became necessary following economic difficulties imposed on workers by the over 200 per cent increase in the pump price of fuel in the country.

Ajaero said what the NLC was seeking was for the government to conclude the issue of wage award before delving into that of minimum wage.

He said considering the percentage of the hike in the pump price of fuel, labour would be asking for “almost 200 percent in wage award.”

“We would have addressed the issue of CNG for instance and where people pay N500 per litre of fuel, maybe they will be paying less than that on CNG,” he said to Channels TV.

“We agreed that the federal government has had more than enough time for the past four months, even if there is commitment and genuineness of purpose that between now and next few days issues will be resolved and we hope that the minister will work with us within the next few days to make sure we resolve the matter.”

When asked a question on why the Trade Union Congress (TUC) was holding a separate meeting with the government, Ajaero said both the NLC and TUC are independent labour centres.