The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a stern warning on the possibility of an economic shutdown if the petrol pump price is raised again without prior government notice.
NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, conveyed the organization’s strong stance during a recent event.
Ajaero also expressed concerns about the alleged encroachment on the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s duties by other governmental entities.
In response, the Presidency promptly addressed the situation, stating that President Bola Tinubu is actively addressing the country’s economic challenges and striving to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens.
In another development, oil marketers in Abuja urged urgent intervention from the Federal Government to halt the consistent depreciation of the naira against the dollar, which has substantially impacted the cost of petrol.
Mr. Ajaero, while reacting to advice from the Director of Trade Union Services, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Emmanuel Igbinosun, emphasized that Nigerians have endured considerable hardships due to governmental policies.
He criticized the lack of attention to policies that erode wages and exacerbate inflation.
Ajaero highlighted the need to address the root causes of economic struggles, emphasizing that merely increasing wages without addressing underlying issues would be insufficient.
Furthermore, Ajaero called out recent indications of a potential petrol price increase, expressing that the NLC would not provide notice before taking action if the consequences of previous price hikes had not been adequately addressed.
He cited concerns about the potential inflationary impact of further price increases and urged comprehensive attention to the concerns of Nigerian workers.
The situation remains fluid as the NLC continues to advocate for economic stability and the protection of workers’ rights.