NLC and TUC Deadline for Electricity Tariff Hike Reversal
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the Federal Government a deadline of May 31, 2024, to reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff. The decision was made at a jointly held National Executive Council meeting where the unions strongly condemned the unilateral increase in electricity tariff by the authorities. They deemed this action unjust and burdensome, calling for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike to alleviate the economic hardships faced by Nigerian workers and citizens.
The NLC and TUC had previously protested against the electricity tariff hike through actions like picketing all NERC offices and DISCOs nationwide. The recent increase announced by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 3, 2024, affected Band A customers who saw their rates rise from N68/kWh to N225/kWh, representing a 240% increase. This move aimed to remove subsidies for Band A customers, constituting about 15% of total power consumers in Nigeria.
In response to these developments, the NLC and TUC have set a firm deadline for the government to meet their demands regarding the electricity tariff hike. Failure to comply could lead to massive protests and industrial actions as part of their efforts to protect workers’ rights and ensure social justice.
Threat of Strike Over New Minimum Wage Deal
Additionally, the NLC and TUC have also threatened a massive protest if a new minimum wage deal is not concluded by May 31, 2024. The labor leaders expressed concerns over ongoing non-compliance with the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act by some state governments. They directed members in Anambra State to prepare for industrial action if their demands are not met by May 23, 2024.
The unions emphasized the urgency of reaching a fair agreement on the new national minimum wage that reflects the value of Nigerian workers’ contributions. They highlighted issues such as delays in negotiations and non-payment of the minimum wage by some state governments as key reasons for their ultimatum.
In summary, both issues – electricity tariff hike reversal and new minimum wage deal – are critical points of contention between labor unions and the government in Nigeria. The deadlines set indicate a strong stance taken by the NLC and TUC to protect workers’ interests and push for necessary reforms in these areas.
