NLC calls for review of minimum wage, blames FG for high unemployment rate

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has blamed the mass exodus of industries from Nigeria on the inconsistent policies of the Federal Government.

President of Congress, Ayuba Wabba, who stated this at the opening of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NLC in Sokoto, posited that it is impossible for any country to develop without industries.

He explained that nearly all the productive industries in Nigeria, especially those in the manufacturing sector have closed down while some relocated to neighbouring countries especially in the West Africa sub region.  “Some of the factors that have led to the collapse of industries include consistent increases in the price of petroleum products, lack of regular public electricity and general infrastructural decay.”

Wabba chided the Federal Government for ignoring the need for a review of the national minimum wage which still stands at N18, 000 monthly. “Nigerian workers and pensioners are as important to the growth of the economy and must not be allowed to continue to suffer further hardships. We therefore reiterate our call on government to treat the review of the minimum wage and pension with the utmost urgency they deserve,” the NLC chief stated.

While the NLC commended the Federal Government in its sustained battle against corruption and determination to ensure good governance in our country, it urged that the battle should be more systemic and institutionalized with strong laws and institutions strengthened enough to sustain the battle.

Wabba argued that power stability is indeed very important and critical to industrialization, self-sufficiency and economic growth and it is scandalous that eight months after the 45 per cent hike in electricity tariff and years after the privatization of public electricity, Nigeria still fall short of enough electricity.

He further submitted that while the courts have declared the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff as illegal, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, an umbrella body for the DISCOs has been canvassing for 200 per cent increase in the tariff.

“We must not allow this and we reject their proposal in its totality because it would amount to crude exploitation and insensitivity,” he added.

While Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the severe hardship imposed by the last increase in the price of petroleum products, he insisted that Nigerian workers are totally opposed to any further increases, saying workers are yet to see the benefits of the last increase even as the current Minimum Wage Act has not been reviewed.