Ekiti Labour Unions Seek N100,000 Minimum Wage Before Subsidy Removal
The organised labour in Ekiti State on Wednesday said it would demand a minimum wage of N100,000 if the Federal Government refused to fix refineries and build new ones before going ahead with its planned removal of fuel subsidy.
Comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the unions said conditions such as domestic processing of the nation’s crude and putting the refineries to 80 per cent use were necessary steps the government must meet to make life meaningful for Nigerians before it removed fuel subsidy.
The NLC chairman, Kolapo Olatunde, and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Sola Adigun, spoke in Ado-Ekiti at a press conference to kick off activities marking the 2023 Workers’ Day celebration, with the theme, ‘Workers’ Rights and Socioeconomic Justice’.
The NLC chairman said, “I tell you, if subsidy is removed as things are, our minimum wage can never be N30,000 again; we will not take anything less than N100,000. That is the only way workers will be able to cope with the multiplier effects of subsidy removal.
“If the subsidy is removed, I am sure a bag of rice which is now about N40,000 will sell for N100,000 because the transport fares and cost of all other things will have skyrocketed.”
He noted that, “The right thing is to fix the economy. The advice to the Federal Government is to fix the refineries. The government can upgrade the refineries or sell them off and construct new ones.”
He, however, said that the NLC’s position would be conveyed during the forthcoming National Executive Committee meeting.
While lauding Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritising workers’ affairs, the labour bodies faulted the Federal Government’s 40 per cent wage increase for some workers, saying, “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”
Speaking, Adigun harped on the need to ensure observance of workers’ rights, including right to dignity of work.
He said, “It is part of our rights to be well paid as and when due. At present, our N30,000 has been consumed by inflation. If workers work daily and their pay cannot take them home, then there is problem.”
Drawing the attention of Nigerians – employers and employees alike – to the rights of workers, he said, “If these rights are given, if all Nigerians, no matter your background, can get those juicy jobs which are reserved for children of the privileged, there will be socioeconomic justice”.
