The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Federal Government for failing to deliver on promises, including the projected start of the Port Harcourt refinery in December.
According to the NLC, most of the economic policies of the Tinubu government have made life harder rather than bringing respite to workers and Nigerians in general.
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In its new year message, signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said,
“This government has shown enormous unfaithfulness in keeping to agreements. The N35,000 wage award has not been faithfully implemented; the Port Harcourt refinery has not come on stream as projected while the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Council has not been inaugurated as agreed; the CNG has been distorted by agents of government for the benefit of a few.
“Workers continue to grapple with the worst forms of deprivations thus unable to meet their basic needs while transportation to work continues to be a nightmare. Nigerian masses have experienced the worst form of angst and suffering as access to basic nutrition has become more difficult while education and basic social utilities have become the sole purview of the rich. This year’s festive season has been made so difficult for the masses that the usual joy associated with the season was replaced with worries and anxiety all over the nation.
“Government’s half-hearted attempts at providing succour was largely mere propaganda and never had any impact on the high cost of transportation across the nation.
“Our naira continues in its free fall in all markets while governments, both federal and states, continue in their reckless borrowing and spending in the name of governance.
“We are worried at the haste with which those in government rush to eat the future of Nigerians by borrowing and frittering them away putting the future of our unborn generation in jeopardy. As it stands today, Nigeria needs about 12 per cent more than our annual revenue to service our debt stock meaning that we have to borrow to ever be able to service our debts. Another debt trap has been unleashed on the population. Governments should act more responsibly in their debt activities.
“We vow that in 2024, we will be committed towards ensuring that a living wage becomes possible for all Nigerian workers by working with others to secure a National Minimum Wage that approximates to the dictates of the various parameters that make incomes humane and grants access to basic necessities of life for the average worker.”
The NLC expressed concerns about the economic policies impacting workers negatively and vowed to work towards securing a National Minimum Wage that aligns with humane income parameters in 2024.