LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has expressed its dissatisfaction and concerns over the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, and what it refers to as anti-poor policies of the government, labeling them as “weapons of war” against Nigerian workers and the masses.
In a speech delivered on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, during the opening ceremony of a four-day program for leaders of the state councils of NLC in Lagos, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, strongly criticized the government’s economic policies and accused it of waging war on working-class Nigerians.
The NLC President, represented by the Deputy President of Congress and President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, urged trade union leaders not to abandon Nigerian workers and the masses who are bearing the brunt of what he termed as ill-conceived policies.
Ajaero said, “Various governments in Nigeria have mercilessly trampled upon the rights of Nigerians without any feeling of remorse. Politicians have ganged up against the workers and the masses without any consequences.”
He highlighted the recent hike in the price of PMS as an example of government policies that have had a detrimental impact on the Nigerian people.
He criticized the government for not engaging in dialogue with stakeholders and for not providing alternative measures to cushion the impact of the increase in fuel prices.
He added, “This policy direction ought to have been the product of dialogue amongst stakeholders but was shunned by a democratically elected government which rather believes in machoism that has since left the economy reeling.”
Ajaero also noted that it is essential for the government to understand that impoverishing workers and pushing more people into poverty does not constitute sound economic management.
He warned that the government’s current approach is pushing the nation towards a crisis.
Furthermore, he lamented the prevalence of abuses of workers’ rights and privileges by employers in both the public and private sectors, and the impunity with which these employers operate, often in contravention of existing labour laws.
Ajaero called on the NLC and trade union leaders to take a stand against these policies and actions, asserting that they have a responsibility not to leave the Nigerian people and workers to their fate.
The NLC’s statements come amid growing concerns about the state of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of its citizens, particularly in the wake of fuel price increases which have historically had wide-ranging effects on the cost of living and transportation in the country.
