The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to urgently intervene in the ongoing fuel price crisis, warning that the rising cost of petrol is forcing millions of Nigerian workers further into poverty.
In a statement signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, over the weekend, the NLC demanded an immediate wage award and cost-of-living allowance for workers, expanded and more transparent cash transfer programmes for vulnerable citizens, as well as tax relief for low-income earners.
The labour centre said the recent surge in petrol prices to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre has placed unbearable pressure on workers and ordinary citizens already struggling with rising living costs.
The NLC insisted that the government cannot stand by while citizens suffer the consequences of global economic disruptions and must take urgent steps to cushion the hardship.
According to the congress, the spike in fuel prices due to escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran has exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and the country’s continued dependence on global market forces despite claims that local refining would shield Nigerians from such shocks.
The NLC also criticised the pricing structure in the petroleum sector, saying the burden of global volatility is being transferred directly to citizens through higher pump prices.
It noted that the rising cost of petrol and diesel has significantly increased transportation costs, worsened food inflation and eroded already meagre wages, leaving many workers unable to afford necessities.
The congress demanded immediate intervention measures to protect workers and vulnerable Nigerians from the worsening economic pressure.
The labour body also urged the government to provide a clear timeline for the full operationalisation of the country’s public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, stressing that reviving the facilities would help reduce Nigeria’s vulnerability to global fuel price shocks.
It said, “The cost of PMS and AGO has made transportation a noose around workers’ necks. Food inflation is galloping, and meagre wages are being swallowed by this induced scarcity. When a worker cannot afford to go to work, the economy stops. When a family cannot afford three meals a day, society sits on a keg of gunpowder.
“The government cannot foreclose any action that would offer succour. We demand an immediate intervention. It is the duty of the state to act to prevent the agony of its citizens and not wring its hands in hopelessness, mouthing [off about] the Middle East war. Latest forecast by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) shows that Nigeria stands to reap about N30trn (Thirty Trillion Naira) Oil windfall from the Middle East :.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) subsequently demands an immediate Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers to cushion the high cost of living. Current wages are stipends of starvation.
“An expansion and overhaul of Cash Transfers to ensure transparency and that they reach the most vulnerable, with increased value to match inflation.
“Immediate Tax Reliefs for Workers and a stoppage of all regressive taxes on low-income earners, including the proposed tax on the informal economy. Taxing the minimum wage is extortion. A timeline for the full-scale operationalisation of all public refineries. The Nigerian state must be held accountable for the billions spent on turnaround maintenance.
“Nigerian workers are being pauperised and massively suffering. We are not a statistic; we are the engine of this nation. When the engine overheats, the entire vehicle crashes.
“The about N30trn (thirty trillion naira) only Oil windfall expected to accrue to Nigeria as a result of the Current Middle East war must not grow wings like the Gulf Oil windfall but should be invested in the Nigerian people. It should be used to cushion the negative effects of the crisis on the Nigerian people.
The congress also called for sincere social dialogue between government and labour, cautioning that continued economic hardship could worsen social tensions if urgent relief measures are not implemented.
The sun
