Increase Minimum Wage From N30,000 To N200,000 – TUC Demands

In response to the recent removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has taken a stand by demanding a significant increase in the national minimum wage. The TUC is calling for an increase from the current N30,000 to N200,000.

At a meeting held on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, the TUC submitted a list of demands to the government, outlining their concerns and expectations. The joint statement was signed by Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC, and Comrade Nuhu Abba Toro, Secretary General.

Among the demands made by the TUC is the request for the government to revert to the previous fuel pump price of N195 per litre while negotiations on the subsidy issue continue. They argue that the minimum wage should be raised to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, accompanied by consequential adjustments to the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), covering areas such as feeding, transport, and housing.

To ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage, the TUC also insists on the inclusion of a representative of state governors in the decision-making process. Furthermore, the union proposes a tax holiday for employees earning less than N200,000 or 500 USD monthly, whichever is higher, both in the government and private sectors.

Additionally, the TUC suggests the introduction of a PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) allowance for individuals earning between N200,000 to N500,000 or 500 USD to 1,200 USD, whichever is higher. They emphasize that the exchange rate for retailing PMS should remain within a limit of +- 2% for the next ten years. If the fluctuation exceeds this range, the minimum wage should automatically increase at the same rate.

The TUC also calls for the establishment of an intervention fund, where the government would contribute N10 per liter on all locally consumed PMS. This fund would address long-standing national issues in education, health, and housing. A governance structure involving labor, civil society, and the government would be established to oversee the implementation.

Furthermore, the TUC urges the federal government to provide mass transit vehicles for all segments of the population and recommends that state governments create subsidized transportation systems to alleviate the burden on workers and students.

Other demands made by the TUC include an immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover more Nigerians, a visitation to refineries undergoing rehabilitation to assess the progress and establish completion timelines, the formation of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) under the direction of the labor minister, provision of direct subsidies for food items, accessibility of the National Housing Fund (NHF) for genuine workers, deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across the country, reduction of the cost of governance by 15% in 2024 and 30% in 2025, and the development of frameworks for road maintenance, rail network expansion, social housing policy for workers, and addressing the state of electricity.