Nigeria Labour Congress’ (NLC) Central Working Committee has rejected the 45 per cent upward review of electricity tariff and the planned reintroduction of toll gates.
The Congress warned that prepaid meters should be made available to Nigerians at no cost and also insisted that the reintroduction of tolls gates will be used to line the pocket of individuals.
In a communique at the end of its emergency meeting in Abuja, the NLC said increasing electricity tariff at this point in time with the challenges in the economy will affect the purchasing power of Nigerians.
The communiqué which was signed by the NLC President Ayuba Wabba and its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said: “It is clear, therefore, that the 45 per cent tariff increase is an additional heavy burden on consumers and will have a telling effect on business, especially manufacturing.
“The enormous public resources expended in the past on the construction and demolition of toll gates” and added that “the proceeds from toll collection were never effectively deployed for the maintenance of roads, but lined the pockets of favoured collectors.”
On the issue of minimum wage, the congress said “There have been discordant tunes from state governors on the issue of the National Minimum Wage. Whereas, at one moment, they deny that there are plans to reduce the minimum wage, at another moment, they threaten to sack workers or reduce the minimum wage.
“The National Minimum Wage of N18,000 has been rendered valueless by the mindless devaluation of the Naira and rising inflation. Moreover, it is legally due for a review.
“It is a national law, which no governor can unilaterally review. In the light of the above, the CWC resolved to oppose any attempt by any governor to reduce or tamper with the minimum wage and mobilise all members of the congress to any state that reviews downward the minimum wage or resorts to laying off workers.”