Nigerians paying electricity tariff, taxes above new minimum wage of N70,000 – Ajaero
By Matthew Denis
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero has lamented that Nigerians are paying electricity tariff and taxes above the new minimum wage of N70,000 approved by President Ahmed Tinubu.
Ajaeto while speaking at the first quadrennial delegates conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Friday emphasized the political class are not prioritizing the popular demands of the people.
According to him the effect of inflation on the minimum wage in the country have overwhelmed the masses therefore it was time organised labour stood united and collectively fight the numerous issues affecting workers.
He said “presently, Nigerians were paying electricity tariff and taxes above the new minimum wage of N70,000 approved by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We have fought battles on minimum wage and we have not relented. We have fought battles on fuel subsidy and still fighting battles on tax regimes.
“It is a period where the tax on your salaries are almost higher than the minimum wage increase on the salaries. It is a period we need to sit and reflect on our survival.
“What are those things that affect us most? The social safety nets that are obtainable in some developed economies of the world and we need to fight for them.
“Very important, the cost of living index.we need to look at it. How does it affect an average worker? How was the minimum wage The NLC, TUC, and others fought for implemented?
“Was it implemented in the local government for teachers, workers and those in the formal and informal sector of the economy alike”
The NLC Boss outlined that what was gotten as minimum wage had been eroded by inflation.
“The landlords and transporters have taken it all. Electricity tariff is more than our minimum wage, the tariff on telecom is going high by the day.
“There is therefore the need for the organised labour unions to stand united and review their relationships with Nigerians and players in the civil society space, to collectively fight the numerous issues affecting workers.
“It is a period we need to reenact our relationship with not just the trade union movement, but our civil society allies and the Nigerian masses.
“The NLC is extending its hand of fellowship to the TUC for us to work together hand in hand for the interest of the Nigerian people and workers.
“History beckons that if we fail to work together, we will all perish. At this point in time, we have to work on those things that affect us most,”he said.
The NLC president added that the
challenges that the workers face were not drills but real, adding that they required a robust strong trade union to surmount them.
On his part, The President of Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo stressed that they will continue to work collaboratively with International Labour organization to protect the rights of workers across the country.
Comrade Osifo who is seeking reelection appealed the delegates to conduct themselves and be peaceful during the conference.
One of the top Delegates and Chairman of Kwara Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN), Comrade Olayinka Onikijipa calls on the Delegates to vote for the president of his union, Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitokobi for the treasurer position.
