Subsidy: NLC rubbishes Tinubu’s promise to review minimum wage, writes ASUU and others to get ready for indefinite strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has refused to listen to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to review the minimum wage amid fuel subsidy removal.

This is as the labour union dispersed letters to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and 42 other affiliate unions to mobilise for a scheduled industrial action primed to begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

The NLC had on Friday rolled out a plan to shut down the country’s economic activities following the increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit.

On Monday, during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended.

Tinubu had also disclosed that the 2023 budget did not make provision for fuel subsidy as such, further payment is no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu had declared, adding that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.

The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country, with Nigerians lamenting the sharp increase in the price of petrol at the various filling stations.

Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

The president while meeting the progressives governors on Friday promised to review the minimum wage as a way of providing a cushion against the hardship of subsidy.

The organised labour has, however, insisted that the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.

In a letter written to the affiliates which was signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said, “We bring you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd June 2023, it was decided that Congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of services, against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the thirty-six states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC remarked.

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