Ajirioghene Imah
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in a meeting held with the Federal Government has demanded for the increase in minimum wage from #30,000 to #200,000 as a result of the recent fuel subsidy removal.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the Union’s President, Festus Osifo, and General secretary, Nuhu Toro, calling for the immediate implementation of the demands.
The union highlighted fourteen of its demands for immediate implementation and five for the medium term.
The demands include maintenance of status quo ante of premium motor spirit (PMS) pump price while discussion continued.
The statement reads, “Minimum wage should be increased from the current ₦30,000 to ₦200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustment on cost of feeding allowance, like feeding, transport, 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 ₦200,000 or $500 monthly whichever is higher.
“A governance structure that will include labour, civil society and government will be put in place to manage the implementation.
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“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.
“PMS Allowance to be introduced for those earning between ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 or $500 to $1,200 whichever is higher,” it said.
Others include the setting up of intervention fund where government would be paying ₦10 per litre on all locally consumed PMS.
According to the TUC, the primary purpose of this fund is to solve perennial and protracted national issues in education, health and housing.
