NLC, TUC Demand Urgent Action on Wage and Tariff Issues

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) convened in an emergency meeting on Monday, May 20, 2024, to address critical issues affecting Nigerian workers. The discussions centered on the recent hike in electricity tariffs, the ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage, and the continued non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act by several state governments.

Key Issues Discussed:

1. Electricity Tariff Hike: The NEC condemned the recent unilateral increase in electricity tariffs by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government. They highlighted the economic hardships this imposes on Nigerian citizens and called for an immediate reversal of the hike by the end of May 2024. The NEC also criticized the apartheid-like categorization of consumers into different tariff bands, demanding an end to this practice to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general public.
2. New National Minimum Wage Negotiations: The NEC acknowledged the ongoing negotiations involving the NLC, TUC, the Organized Private Sector (OPS), and the federal government. They stressed the urgency of concluding these negotiations fairly and equitably, reflecting the contributions of Nigerian workers to national development and the survival crisis induced by current government policies. The NEC reiterated the ultimatum given to the federal government to finalize the new minimum wage process by the end of May 2024.
3. Non-Compliance with 2019 Minimum Wage Act: The NEC expressed concern over some state governments’ failure to implement the N30,000 minimum wage as stipulated by the 2019 Act. They instructed all state councils to issue a two-week ultimatum to these governments to comply or face potential industrial action.

Resolutions Passed:

• The NEC reaffirmed their demand for the immediate reversal of the electricity tariff hike and set a deadline for compliance by the end of May 2024.
• They emphasized the non-negotiable nature of the workers’ demands and urged the federal government to prioritize resolving these issues to ensure industrial peace.
• The NEC directed all state councils to mobilize and prepare for action if state governments fail to meet the wage demands by Thursday, May 23, 2024.
• In the event of non-compliance by the government, the NEC authorized the NLC and TUC leadership to mobilize workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions to advocate for social justice and workers’ rights.

The NEC called on all affiliate unions, workers, and Civil Society Organizations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity. They reaffirmed their commitment to championing the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and ensuring their dignity and well-being.