Fuel Hike: Government to consider TUC’s demands, raise Committee on Minimum Wage –Spokesperson

*Dele Alake, Spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after a recent meeting with workers in the State House, Abuja, assures the Federal Government will consider the demands of Trade Union Congress including the National Minimum Wage

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to recent increases in the pump prices of petrol across states of the Nigerian Federation and workers’ complaint about the rising cost of living,  the Federal Government has disclosed it will consider the demands of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), including the National Minimum Wage.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Dele Alake, Spokesperson of the Federal Government, told the State House Correspondents after a meeting between the Federal Government and the TUC, that the government would also consider the practicability of its list of demands.

Alake also noted the government, among other demands, consider tax holidays for the Nigerian workers.

The Spokesperson further said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would constitute a tripartite committee to include states, the Organised Labour and private sector players to study the dynamics of improving the Minimum Wage towards reaching an amicable conclusion.

Alake stated there is no disagreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over their demand for a review of the Minimum Wage, or a return to the status quo in economy.

He noted that the Federal Government’s representatives will meet with President Tinubu to escalate the decisions on the workers’ demands.

NLC representatives absent at the meeting

On the absence of the NLC’s representation in the last meeting, Alake noted that absence of the Labour Union did not mean isolation of the group in the discussion.

He, however, revealed the Federal Government was making efforts at reaching out to them as the parties to the labour issues agreed to reconvene Tuesday, June 6, 2023, before NLC’s scheduled nationwide strike over the removal of petrol subsidy in Nigeria.

Government should reverse the fuel price hikes, says TUC

As discussions continue on the group’s demands, the TUC has maintained that the Federal Government, in the interest of social dialogue, should reverse the recent increases in prices of fuel.

Still, Festus Osifo, President of TUC, said the union remained hopeful as the Federal Government has assured of considering their demands, especially a review of the current Minimum Wage among other burning Labour issues in the West African country.