THE WORSENING PLIGHT OF WORKERS Government must do more to contain the cost of living crisis Amid crushing hardship fuelled by galloping inflation and rising cost of living, many Nigerians spend significant portions of their Government must do more to contain the cost of living crisis Amid crushing hardship fuelled by galloping inflation and rising cost of living, many Nigerians spend significant portions of their incomes simply to commute.
For workers, particularly in urban centres, it is a daily agonising experience.
Following persistent threats of strike by labour, the federal government at a recent meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) approved a monthly N70,000 transport allowance for workers across all levels for six months, beginning this month, to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
the Trade Union Congress (TUC), a major ally in the crusade for workers’ welfare, rejected the allowance outright, insisting that workers need a proper wage increase, not “haphazard measures”.
It was a stance that sparked a sharp disagreement between the two labour leaders, a dispute that spilled into the streets and degenerated into embarrassing personal attacks. This prompted the intervention of some veteran labour leaders. But even if some affiliated unions of the feuding leaders are still reportedly queueing behind their own and deepening the discord, many have cautioned both the NLC and TUC presidents, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo not to walk into a trap that might weaken organised labour. Former NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said, “We have made it clear that workers’ organisations are supposed to be one because the objective is one and the aim is one.” Indeed, there is every cause for labour to unite for the crucial battles ahead in the interest of workers.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.