Minimum wage should be increased rather than reduced — NLC tells Governors

Following the recent declaration by some state governors that they can no longer pay the 18,000 Minimum Wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has stated that the wage is due for upward review, vowing to resist any attempt at reducing it.

A communiqué signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson at the end of the Central Working Committee’s meeting said the workers would protest in any state that attempts to reduce the wage or retrench workers.

The communiqué noted that while some governors had denied plans to reduce the minimum wage, others are threatening to sack workers under its employ.

NLC, while noting that minimum wage was legally due for review, emphasised that no governor can unilaterally change it.

The congress further stressed its opposition to an increase in the pump price of fuel as well as the planned subsidy removal.

It stressed that the 45 per cent tariff increase in electricity was an additional burden on consumers, adding that the increase would have an effect on businesses, especially manufacturing.

It said, “A 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff at this point in time with the challenges in the economy, which have adversely reduced the purchasing power of the ordinary Nigerian and slowed down business, including manufacturing, is not justifiable.

“The distribution companies have continued to exploit Nigerians through estimated billing systems for the majority of consumers, while deliberately refusing to make pre-paid metres available.”

The congress further resolved to reject the tariff increment and demanded that prepaid metres be made free for all electricity consumers.

#NLC