The Nigeria Labour Congress has stated that the N18,000 minimum wage was due for upward review and the congress would not accept attempts by the governors to reduce it.

NLC, in a communiqué issued at the end of the Central Working Committee meeting of the union, said it was ready to mobilise its members for protest in any state that embarked on its downward review or states that resorted to laying-off 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.

The congress reiterated that the minimum wage was legally due for review, saying that no governor could unilaterally change it.

In addition, NLC re-affirmed its opposition to an increase in pump price of petrol as well as the planned subsidy removal.

Commenting on the increase in electricity tariff, the union pointed out that the 45 per cent tariff increase was an additional burden on consumers and would have an effect on businesses, especially manufacturing.

It said, “A 45 per cent upward increase in electricity tariff at this point in time with the challenges in the economy, which have adversely reduced the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians and slowed down businesses, including manufacturing, is not justifiable.

“The distribution companies have continued to exploit Nigerians by estimated billing systems for the majority of consumers, while deliberately refusing to make pre-paid metres available.”

The CWC, therefore resolved to, reject the tariff increase and demanded that prepaid metres be made available free to all consumers.

Source: Punch