The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised an eyebrow on the recent hike in the price of fuel otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing it as an “assault on workers wellbeing and a breach of contract.”
The organised labour told the federal government to reverse what it called “economic policies that are not labour friendly and anti-people”.
The state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, said this in a statement issued in Ilorin.
Following the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) announcement of an increase in a litre of petrol, independent fuel stations adjusted and dispensed the commodity between N1000 and N1200 per litre.
In some fuel stations in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital for instance, a litre of fuel is dispensed at N1000.
However, the NLC chairman took a swipe at the federal government for reneging on the agreement it reached with the organised labour, recalling that the decision to accept N70,000 as new minimum wage was on the basis that there won’t be a hike in petrol price.
Olayinka noted that the government was insensitive to have raised the pump price of fuel at a time the citizens are experiencing economic hardship on account of economic policies.
But the NLC chairman urged the citizens to remain calm and steadfast, and avoid acts capable of causing tension, saying that the leadership of the organised labour is working and monitoring the trend of events arising from fuel price increase.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) Kwara State Council received the news of the recent fuel price hike with indignation. This hike is worrisome due to the harsh socio-economic situation in the state and Nigeria at large. It is with a deep feeling of compassion and patriotism that we address our workers and the general public on the economic dilemma of the moment caused by the hike in the premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
“The increase in the petrol price at this period of economic hardship and strangulation calls for deep sense of concern that may culminate into a National debate or dialogue on the direction toward the living standard of workers and Nigeria people.
“Consequently, it is our resolve to engage the government to bring succour to the working class people and the Nigeria masses. We are working with the relevant stakeholders and authorities in order to bring hope to our members and the general public. The increase in the pump price of petroleum came as a surprise to us as the organised labour had reached an agreement with the federal government during the minimum wage tripartite committee meeting, which resulted in the approval of N70,000 for workers.
“The organised labour, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, was able to accept the minimum wage of N70,000 under the condition that the federal government will not increase the pump price of petrol. It is on the basis of the agreement to cap the price at old rate and not to increase the fuel price that inspired the organised labour to accept the N70,000 minimum wage.
“The organised labour knew from the outset that the N70,000 was not sustainable but went ahead to agree on it based on a condition that the federal government will not make any further increase on the petrol price. We describe the action of the federal government as unfortunate for reneging the agreement jointly and consciously reached and signed by all parties. This is an assault on the workers wellbeing and a breach of contract.
“However, we urge the federal government to review and revert some of its economic policies that are not labour friendly and anti-people.The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) is using this medium to appeal to our members and the general public to remain calm and steadfast, and avoid acts capable of causing tension as we are working and monitoring the trend of events as regards to the situation of petrol pump price with a view to coming out with a position that will be acceptable to the workers and Nigerians in general.
“The NLC as a workers organisation is a centre of social justice, which is responsible for ensuring a collaboration between the government and the workers aimed at maximising growth in productivity. We want to assure our members of adequate protection and guarantee for a better working condition in the midst of difficult economic situation”, Olayinka said.
