Minimum wage: Tinubu betrayed us with new fuel price hike — NLC President

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its disappointment over the recent fuel price hike, accusing President Bola Tinubu of betraying the labour movement after negotiations on a new national minimum wage.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop titled ‘Minimum Wage Implementation Workshop, Southern Zone,’ in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero revealed that the new petrol price increase has undermined the anticipated benefits of the yet-to-be-implemented N70,000 minimum wage.

Ajaero lamented that despite the supposed agreement, the rising cost of fuel has further plunged workers into hardship.

According to Ajaero, the organised labour was misled into accepting the N70,000 minimum wage as part of the federal government’s strategy to prevent further hikes in petrol prices.

He stated, “We were betrayed by President Tinubu. The agreed N70,000 minimum wage was meant to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal, but the new pump price of petrol has already erased any benefits.”

Ajaero highlighted that the government’s tactics included distractions and accusations to weaken the union’s resolve. “There is a tactic to distract us by leveling allegations against us, accusing us of cybercrime, terrorism, and other unfounded claims. These distractions have only allowed the fuel price issue to persist,” he said.

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Recalling a conversation with President Tinubu during negotiations, Ajaero recounted the pressure the labor leaders faced. “Mr. President gave us an ultimatum of one hour to accept a deal that would raise the minimum wage to N250,000 if we allowed the fuel price hike.

However, we rejected it, knowing it would plunge the entire country into deeper economic hardship,” Ajaero explained.

He further criticised the government’s suggestion to tour West African countries to compare fuel prices, with petrol reportedly selling at N1,700 in neighboring nations.

“The President wanted us to see how much fuel costs in Cameroon and other West African countries, but we made it clear that the issue lies with the unchecked smuggling at our borders,” he added.

Ajaero concluded by emphasising the struggles the labor movement faces, especially from private sector employers who continue to resist the N70,000 minimum wage.

Despite the difficulties, he reiterated that the NLC remains committed to fighting for the welfare of Nigerian workers and urged the government to urgently address the growing poverty and hunger before the situation worsens.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE