NLC TO ENGAGE FG OVER PETROL PRICE HIKE

NLC TO ENGAGE FG OVER PETROL PRICE HIKE

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced on Thursday that it will engage the federal government to discuss how workers can cope with the recent petrol price increases.

NLC President Joe Ajaero asserted that the current petrol prices have undermined the benefits of the proposed N70,000 national minimum wage, which has yet to be implemented.

At a workshop in Lagos focused on minimum wage strategies, Ajaero accused President Bola Tinubu of deceiving organized labor into accepting the wage hike under the premise of preventing further increases in fuel prices.

He stressed the urgent need for the government to address the rising hunger and poverty among Nigerians, warning that the situation is becoming increasingly untenable.

Ajaero revealed that during negotiations, President Tinubu allegedly suggested a wage increase to N250,000 in exchange for allowing petrol prices to rise.

The NLC leader emphasized that such an increase would not effectively alleviate economic hardship, as escalating costs would negate any wage benefits.

He expressed frustration over the government’s distraction tactics, which he believes have diverted attention from critical issues like the petrol price hikes.

Ajaero reiterated claims of betrayal by the President, highlighting that labor representatives felt misled during wage discussions.

The NLC plans to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of workers and address the economic challenges facing Nigerians, insisting that the government must take immediate action to restore confidence in its commitments to labor.