Labour protests over rising inflation

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday protested in Abuja over “anti-people policies of government.”

The protesting workers marched through the streets of Abuja and moved to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa and the National Assembly.

NLC president Ayuba Wabba said the protest code named ‘national day of action against corruption and for good governance’ was targeted against “anti-people policies of the government, shabby anti-corruption campaign and poor treatment of workers among other things.”

Speaking at the National Assembly, Wabba said the groups were protesting delay in upward review of minimum wage amidst increasing cost of items in the country.

“We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption.

“More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance,’’ Wabba said.

He said Nigerian workers had been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance.

“Today the dollar rate is N500 to one dollar and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same.

“Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians.”

Also speaking, TUC President Bobboi Kaigama said “Nigerians are hungry, no light, no jobs and our factories have gone comatose. Our salary is stagnant but inflation is on the rise.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki said “We are on the same side because we have to make the country better. The challenges are enormous, the exchange rate is high, the inflation is high, the only thing that low is salary.”

Saraki while advocating for palliatives to cushion the effects of the recession, said, “We need to do something. We must find a palliative measures, it is not time for talk, it is time for action.”