BREAKING: Subsidy removal crisis: TUC pushes FG to raise the minimum wage for employees to N200,000

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has called for an increase in the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, raising concerns about the Federal Government’s withdrawal of the fuel subsidy to a new level.

Obasanjonews24 learned that all of the TUC’s requests were presented to the government during the meeting that took place on Sunday at the Presidential Villa.

A joint statement that was sent to our reporter on Monday and has the signatures of Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, and Comrade Nuhu Abba Toro, Secretary General, contains a list of further demands.

While discussions are ongoing, the TUC also requests that the government reinstate the previous petrol pump pricing of N195 per litre.

Before the end of June 2023, the minimum salary should be raised from the present N30,000 to N200,000, with corresponding changes to the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which includes housing, transportation, and food.

According to the union, a state governors’ representative will be a party to the new minimum wage, and all governors must agree to adopt it.

Additionally, it calls for a tax holiday for workers in the public and commercial sectors who make less than N200,000 or $500 USD per month, whichever is greater.

“We advocate for the introduction of PMS allowance for people earning between N200,000 and N500,000, or between $500 and $1,200 USD, whichever is greater.

“For the next 10 years, the exchange rate for PMS sold at retail in the nation must be regulated to a maximum of +- 2%. The minimum wage will automatically rise at the same pace in cases when the variation is more than 2%.

“Establishing an intervention fund where the government would provide N10 for every liter of locally ingested PMS. This fund’s main goal is to address long-standing, widespread national concerns related to housing, health care, and education. To oversee the execution, a governance structure made up of the government, civil society, and labor will be put in place.

“All societal groups should have access to public transport vehicles, according to the federal government.

To ease the burden on workers and students, state governments should quickly establish a subsidized transit system. We’ll figure out the structure for this.

“Immediate evaluation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to expand coverage of Nigerians and stop medicine shortages.

“Visiting the refineries that are undergoing rehabilitation in order to determine the status of the work and establish a deadline for completion.

“The president should order the new labor minister to form the National Labor Advisory Council (NLAC) right away. The government, labor, and employers will utilize this forum to debate concerns and government policies that may impact employees as well as other legal requirements.

“Providing a direct subsidy of 800 million dollars for food goods may be a first step.

“Real employees should be given access to the National Housing Fund (NHF), but a framework must be considered and decided upon.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) deployment throughout the nation in the medium term, in keeping with the government’s prior pledge. Both parties will work together to design the structure and schedule.

“Labor and government to develop a framework targeted at a 15% reduction in 2024 and a 30% decrease in 2025 of the cost of governance.

“Immediate action should be taken to establish a framework for maintaining the nation’s road system and growing its rail infrastructure. The government must develop a framework for a rent-to-own social housing strategy for employees.

“The country’s power situation has to be evaluated, and a plan of action with deadlines for fixing it should be established. All stakeholders will form a powerful monitoring team, according to the statement.