- Demands reduction in cost of governance
- Intervention funding
CEM REPORT, ENERGY | Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has demanded an over 500 per cent increase in the national minimum wage following the complete removal of fuel subsidy.
The TUC is demanding that the national minimum wage be increased from its current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023.
TUC says the increase will make the fuel subsidy removal easier for Nigerian workers.
The announcement which came on the heels of the suspension of its planned strike action on Wednesday was delivered in a statement signed by the union’s President, Festus Osifo, and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro on Monday.
The union is also demanding Tax holidays and Fuel Allowance for employees both in the government and private sector that earn less than N200,000 or 500 USD monthly whichever is higher.
“Minimum wage should be increased from the current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustment on the cost of feeding allowance, like feeding, transport, and housing, among others.
“A representative of state governors will be party to this communique and all the governors must commit to implement the new minimum wage.
“Tax holiday for employees both in government and private sector that earn less than N200,000 or 500USD monthly whichever is higher.
“PMS Allowance to be introduced for those earning between N200,000 to N500,000 or 500USD to 1,200USD whichever is higher.”
In the medium term, TUC demands include a reduction of the cost of governance by 15% in 2024 and 30% by 2025.
This is as it also called for the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across the country in line with the earlier promise made by the government, citing that the framework and timeline would be developed and agreed upon by both parties.
“A framework should be immediately put in place to maintain the road and expand the rail networks across the country.
“Government must design a framework for social housing policy for workers through Rent to Own System.
“The state of electricity in the country must be appraised and an action plan should be defined with timelines on how to get this fixed.
“A strong monitoring team comprising of all parties will be constituted.”
Furthermore, the TUC is also demanding an intervention fund where the government would be paying N10 per litre on all locally consumed PMS, with the primary purpose of this fund being to solve perennial and protracted national issues in education, health, and housing.
“A governance structure that will include labour, civil society, and the government will be put in place to manage the implementation.
“Federal Government should provide mass transit vehicles for all categories of the populace.
“State governments should immediately set up a subsidised transportation system to reduce the pressure on workers and students: the framework around this will be worked out.
“Immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover more Nigerians and prevent out-of-stock of drugs.”
Recall that the labour unions in the nation have halted their planned strike action scheduled for Wednesday 7 June 2023 to allow for further discussion with the federal government over fuel subsidy-related issues.