Group Urges NLC, TUC To Review Demand

Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been called upon to review their demand for an increase of the national minimum wage which would gulp N9.5 trillion to realise adding that it is unrealistic and unfair considering the economic situation of the country.

President of Patriotic Volunteers for Good Governance and former Secretary to Kano State Government, Usman Alhaji stated this in kano.

Speaking with newsmen, he explained that though workers’ rights must be protected and their grievances addressed, the nationwide strike could equally have severe negative consequences on the economy and welfare of all Nigerians.

“The rejection of this offer (N60,000) and the demand of N494,000 by the labour leadership is untenable and unsustainable in all sense of fairness and decorum.

“This is most unfair and insensitive to the economic realities of the nation in this most trying moment. If the labour union insists on this, the tendency is for job losses through massive retirement (retrenchment) – a very dangerous situation that could trigger another round of lawlessness courtesy of poverty in Nigeria,” he said.

The group also lamented the jumbo salary paid to politicians especially members of the national and state assemblies noting that it is a high time such excessive expenditure is reduced, describing it as a way of reducing the cost of governance.

He further explained that reviewing the jumbo pay of political officeholders is necessary because it drains too much from the commonwealth of the nation.