NULGE Demands 300% Increase in Minimum Wage after Fuel Subsidy Removal

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on the government to raise the minimum wage for workers across all sectors by 300 percent, citing the inflation caused by the removal of fuel subsidy in June 2023.

NULGE is a trade union organisation that represents municipal workers in Nigeria, with members spread across the 774 local government areas of the country.

NULGE made this demand in a communique issued at the end of its regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The communique was jointly signed by NULGE National President, Mr Ambali Olatunji, and General Secretary, Mr Isah Gambo.

Olatunji said that the 300 percent increase was imperative considering the inflation necessitated by the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to a hike in the pump price of petrol from N162 per litre to N610 per litre. He said that this had a ripple effect on the prices of food, transportation, housing and other essential goods and services.

According to him, “It is the position of NULGE that there should be a 300 percent rise in the minimum wage for all Local Government workers and other public servants, including private sector workers. This will help to cushion the effect”

Olatunji also urged the government to utilise the 800 million dollars from World Bank to provide mass transit and other interventions especially in the auto-mobile spare parts companies, to cater for the transport needs of the masses.

He also advised the government to give tax rebates/holidays for low income earners and small scale entrepreneurs, as a way of encouraging and sustaining their businesses.

He added that, “It is the conviction of the union that autonomy for local governments remains the best way to return the country to the part of development and growth.

“This will translate to the direct funding of local governments without which no genuine national development can be achieved.”

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