The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the recent increase in petrol pump prices, describing it as both “traumatic” and “nightmarish.” The labor movement expressed its discontent and sense of betrayal by the Federal Government, following an agreement made during the national minimum wage negotiations.
In a statement released by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the organization criticized the government’s decision to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country. The NLC highlighted that one of the key reasons for accepting the N70,000 minimum wage offer, instead of the initially proposed N250,000, was the government’s assurance that there would be no further increase in the price of fuel.
The statement, titled “We Feel Betrayed,” captured the NLC’s frustration: “We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.”
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Comrade Ajaero recalled the difficult choices presented during the wage negotiations, where the government proposed either a N250,000 minimum wage, contingent on a significant rise in fuel prices, or a N70,000 wage with the assurance of maintaining existing fuel prices. The NLC chose the latter to avoid further economic strain on Nigerians.
“But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain,” the statement continued. “It is both traumatic and nightmarish.”
The NLC has called for an immediate reversal of the recent fuel price hike, urging the government to honor the agreement and consider the adverse impact of the increase on the Nigerian populace. The labor movement has also hinted at possible industrial action if the government’s actions continue to undermine the welfare of Nigerian workers.