NLC challenges FG on further inflation of fuel pump price

In a statement released on Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) challenged the Federal Government to conduct a thorough review of the present petrol pump rates or face harsh consequences from the Nigerian population.

It warned that its affiliated unions will go on strike at the drop of a hat if necessary.

At a conference of the African Alliance of Trade Unions in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero issued the ultimatum, arguing that it was imperative to first finalize the ongoing discussions for palliatives.

Ajaero urged the Federal government to alter “those bad economic policies that make wages next to nothing” in response to the advice of the Registrar of Trade Unions on how labor should act in order to fulfill its responsibility to protect the interests of workers and, by extension, Nigerians.

Just as we are right now. They are thinking of raising the prices of gasoline and other petroleum items. However, for some time now, the Minister of Labor has merely gone to the Minister of Justice to come up with an injunction holding the hands of labor and preventing a response. They have begun discussing the possibility of a rise in the cost of petroleum goods.

Let me say this, though. The employees in Nigeria will not issue a strike notice. If we haven’t dealt with the fallout from the prior two gas price hikes, and then we wake up to find out that they’ve raised prices again, it’s going to be a rude awakening.

Ajaero continued, “I want to beg with government that such horrible economic policies that make our wages next to nothing should be checked. We can live anywhere in peace so long as you stop the practices that cause inflation and currency devaluation. We ask that you maintain the current minimum salary of 30,000 if the naira is at par with the dollar today.

We will ask you to keep things as they are if inflation is brought down to zero. But prices are rising rapidly, and the National Bureau of Statistics has shown that more than 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. The government, in my opinion, should take care of these problems. The economy will be destroyed by the ensuing inflation if we decide to raise wages tomorrow.

He further said that “the IG of the Nigerian police is now serving as the country’s Ministry of Labor.” Labor ministry responsibilities include mediating conflicts inside and between unions. The Inspector General of Police does not have jurisdiction there. Additionally, I believe the Ministry of Labor should instruct the police force that they are not authorized to assume the duties of the Ministry of Labour. If they accomplish that, there will be no need for a Minister of Labour since the Ministry of Labour will be eliminated.

“Pick up your responsibilities from the departments of law enforcement and justice. It is your responsibility to refer any intra or intergroup conflict to NIC for resolution. Considering the close ties that the Nigerian Labour Congress has with the Ministry of Labor.

You may remember that there have been rumors that oil marketers are gearing ready to raise fuel prices even further in the coming days, with the increase being based on currency exchange rate differences.