The Nigeria Labour Congress has demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices and a nationwide wage award. Moreover, the union wants fresh negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
According to The PUNCH, NLC President Joe Ajaero made the demands in an Independence Day statement. The union raised concerns about worsening living costs.
The labour centre said workers’ purchasing power had been eroded by rising food, transport, rent and education expenses.
‘N70,000 wage already destroyed’
The NLC said petrol selling at about N1,430 per litre in major cities had pushed up costs across the economy.
“Petrol now sells at N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas,” the union said.
It also argued that the existing N70,000 minimum wage no longer reflected economic realities.
“The current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,” the NLC said.
Labour demands wage committee
The union called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee. This committee should negotiate and legislate a new minimum wage for 2027.
It also demanded a nationwide wage award as an emergency intervention.
“A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the union said.
The NLC further called for reduced government spending, greater transparency and increased investment in public infrastructure and social services.
