By Uche Amunike
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an increase in wages and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers, from the federal and state governments, in order to cushion the effects of the high cost of living caused by the current increase in fuel prices.
The NLC warned against allowing the estimated N30 trillion oil windfall that is expected to accrue to Nigeria as a result of the current Middle East war to go the way of the Gulf Oil windfall that was largely unaccounted for.
They stated that millions of Nigerian workers were groaning under the brutal cost of a global capitalist crisis not created by them, against the skyrocketing prices of Premium Motor Spirit caused by the ongoing United States, Israeli war against Iran.
Speaking through a statement signed by the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, the labor center stated that petrol prices in Nigeria has skyrocketed to between N1,170 and N1,300 per liter.
This, according to the statement has made transportation hellish for workers, while food inflation was galloping and meagre wages were being used up by the induced scarcity.
According to the NLC, current wages of workers were now basic stipends of starvation.
The statement further explained: ‘The Nigeria labour Congress subsequently demands: an immediate Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers to cushion the high cost of living.’
‘An expansion and overhaul of Cash Transfers to ensure transparency and that they reach the most vulnerable, with increased value to match inflation.’
‘Immediate Tax Reliefs for Workers and a stoppage of all regressive taxes on low-income earners, including the proposed tax on the informal economy.’
The NLC described taxing of minimum wage as extortion and urged the federal government to set a timeline for the full scale, operationalisation of every public refinery.
They further warned about the danger of sabotaging the national refineries to create a monopoly, stating that no country achieves economic freedom by exporting jobs and important prizes.
The NLC reiterated: ‘When a worker cannot afford to go to work, the economy stops. When a family cannot afford three meals a day, society sits on a keg of gunpowder.’
‘The government cannot foreclose any action that would offer succor. We demand an immediate intervention. It is the duty of the state to act to prevent the agony of its citizens and not wring its hands in hopelessness mouthing the Middle East war.’
As for the expected oil earnings generated as a result of the Middle East war, NLC advised that it should be invested in the Nigerian people, stating that the latest forecast by Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) showed that Nigeria stood to reap about N30 trillion oil windfall from the Middle East crisis.
According to the NLC: ‘The Nigeria state must be held accountable for billions spent on turnaround maintenance. Nigerian workers are being pauperized and massively suffering.’
‘We are not a statistic; we are the engine of this nation. When the engine overheats, the entire vehicle crashes. The about N30 trillion oil windfall expected to accrue to Nigeria as a result of the current Middle East war must not grow wings like the Gulf Oil windfall but should be invested in Nigerian people.’
‘It should be used to cushion the negative effects of the crisis in Nigerian people. The government must engage in sincere social dialogue with Nigerian workers and the broader citizenry.’
‘Using the Middle East war as an excuse to further impoverish Nigerians is unacceptable. The primary duty of government is to ensure the welfare of the citizenry. We demand action. We demand justice. We demand survival.’
