The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in a communiqué at the end of the Central Working Committee’s meeting of the union, has threatened to resist attempts by state governors to reduce the current wage, noting the the current N18,000 Minimum Wage is due for upward review.
NLC, emphasized that it was ready to mobilise its members for a protest in any state that the prevailing wage or retrenched workers.
The communiqué signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, and the Secretary-General, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, observed that while some governors had denied plans to reduce the minimum wage, others threatened to sack workers or reduce the wage.
The congress said minimum wage was legally due for review, saying no governor could unilaterally change it.
NLC restated its opposition to an increase in the pump price of fuel as well as the planned subsidy removal.
The union pointed out that the 45 per cent tariff increase in electricity was an additional burden on consumers, saying the increase would have an effect on businesses, especially manufacturing.
It added, “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 CWC said it, therefore, resolved to reject the tariff increase and demanded that prepaid metres be made available free to all consumers.