The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government until the end of October to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage that reflects prevailing economic conditions.
The labour union made the demand in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) in Abuja.
The Congress also called for an immediate reduction in petrol pump prices, arguing that the high cost of fuel had contributed to rising transportation fares, food prices and the cost of other essential commodities.
Beyond wage negotiations and fuel price reduction, the NLC demanded tax relief and wage awards for workers to ease the financial pressure on Nigerian households.
It also urged the government to implement outstanding agreements reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
The Congress maintained that addressing its demands would help alleviate the economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers and the wider population.
It stressed the need for urgent government intervention to improve workers’ purchasing power and reduce the burden of rising living costs.
