According to an Entrepreneurng report, on Wednesday, the organized labor in Ekiti State threatened to demand a minimum wage of N100,000 if the federal government refused to repair existing refineries and construct new ones before moving on with its proposal to eliminate fuel subsidies.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the two unions, asserted that the government must take certain measures before removing fuel subsidies, including domestic processing of the country’s crude and putting the refineries at 80% of their capacity.
Kolapo Olatunde, the chairman of the National Labour Congress, and Sola Adigun, a representative of the Trade Union Congress, spoke at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti to launch the commemoration of Workers’ Day in 2023, which would have as its theme “Workers’ Rights and Socioeconomic Justice.”
“I tell you, if the subsidy is removed as things are, our minimum wage can never be N30,000 again; we will not accept anything less than N100,000,” the NLC chief declared. Workers will only be able to handle the multiplying impacts of subsidy elimination in this way.”
“I am sure that a bag of rice, which is currently selling for about N40,000, will cost N100,000 if the subsidy is removed because the cost of transportation and everything else will have skyrocketed.”
“Fixing the economy is the right thing to do,” he said. Fixing the refineries is the Federal Government’s advice. The government has two options for the refineries: either modernize them or sell them and build new ones.”
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The NLC’s position, he added, would be communicated in the ensuing National Executive Committee meeting.
The labor organizations praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for giving workers’ concerns a top priority, but criticized the Federal Government’s 40% wage boost for some employees, claiming that “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”
Adigun often emphasized the necessity of ensuring the observance of employees’ rights, especially the right to labor with dignity.
“Being well paid as and when due is a part of our rights,” he declared. Our N30,000 has currently been depleted by inflation. There is an issue if workers put in daily work yet cannot afford to go home with their income.”
In conclusion, If these rights are given, if all Nigerians, regardless of their background, can get those juicy jobs which are reserved for children of the privileged, there will be socioeconomic justice,” drawing the attention of Nigerians – employers and employees alike.
Source: Punch
