BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Nigeria Labour Congress has demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage, warning that the rising cost of living has severely eroded workers’ purchasing power.

The NLC made the demands in an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday and titled, “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take.”

The labour centre said the measures had become urgent as workers and other Nigerians contend with soaring costs of transportation, food, housing and education.

It attributed much of the pressure to higher petrol prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, noting that the increase had triggered a wider rise in the cost of goods and services.

“Petrol now sells at N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas. The surge in transportation costs drives up the prices of food, school fees, rent, and nearly every necessity of life, while nominal wages remain stagnant,” the union said.

The NLC urged the Federal Government to urgently address the transmission of higher fuel costs across the economy, particularly through transportation.

“Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile,” it said.

NLC demands nationwide wage award

The union also called for the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award for workers in the federal, state and local governments, describing it as an emergency measure to cushion the erosion of real incomes.

“A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the NLC said.

The demand comes against the backdrop of an 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 workers at the state and local government levels.

The NLC also accused the government of failing to fully implement tax relief measures contained in the October 2023 Memorandum of Understanding with labour.

It urged the government to honour the agreed tax relief measures and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

“The current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,” the union said.

It called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to develop and legislate a new wage standard for 2027 before the end of 2026.

The N70,000 national 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.

‘Where did subsidy savings go?’

The NLC also questioned what it described as the failure to translate savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy into improved infrastructure and social 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.

Under the October 2023 agreement, the Federal Government and labour had outlined several measures intended to cushion the impact of subsidy removal, including wage support, tax incentives and the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

The NLC further criticised Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite its status as a major oil producer.

“Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, depends on imported refined petroleum, while domestic refining capacity has been systematically neglected, except the efforts of a few private refineries,” it said.

The union called for greater investment in domestic refining capacity to reduce dependence on imported fuel and ease pressure on consumers.

NLC seeks lower cost of governance

Beyond wages and fuel prices, the labour centre demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, greater transparency in public spending and increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other social infrastructure.

“When workers are asked to tighten their belts, the extravagance and waste of the governing class are unacceptable. Government must lead by example,” it said.

The NLC also called for affordable and quality public education, functional healthcare facilities and improved road infrastructure, arguing that stronger public services would reduce the financial burden on households and improve economic productivity.

Youth unemployment, insecurity

On youth unemployment and migration, the union said the government must create meaningful economic opportunities that would give young Nigerians reasons to remain in the country.

“The government must create genuine opportunities so that young people can see hope instead of being preached to about hope,” it said.

The NLC added that desperate journeys across the Sahara and Mediterranean should not remain a major source of hope for young Nigerians.

The union also linked insecurity to the country’s economic difficulties, saying violence had disrupted farming, education and healthcare delivery.

It argued that insecurity, poverty, unemployment and inequality were interconnected challenges requiring a broader focus on the distribution of economic opportunities and resources.

NLC speaks on 2027 elections

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the NLC said workers should be free to make independent political choices and warned against electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and rhetoric capable of deepening ethnic or religious tensions.

Ajaero said the union would, at the appropriate time, use its proposed Workers’ Charter to articulate its positions on policies and 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,” he said.

He, however, stressed that workers’ organisations should not be treated as electoral tools.

“However, we will never accept any force treating workers’ organisations as dispensable electoral tools. Workers have the right to independent political thoughts, judgement, and choice.”

The NLC said its focus would remain on decent wages, safe workplaces, accountability and the protection of workers’ welfare.

“The unity and action of the masses is the only reliable force capable of changing this country. Hope belongs to those who organise, who struggle, and who choose their own destiny,” the statement added.