The Nigerian Workers Forum (NWF) has publicly condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for what it describes as a failure to adequately represent the interests of Nigerian workers. The Forum accuses these unions of paying mere "lip service" to the plight of the masses while allowing President Bola Tinubu's administration to implement policies detrimental to the poor.
In a statement released today, the NWF criticized the NLC and TUC for their inaction regarding pressing issues such as the unresolved national minimum wage, which remains at a meager N30,000 despite soaring inflation and escalating living costs. The Forum emphasized that the current wage is insufficient for workers to meet their basic needs, calling it a "slave wage" in light of the economic hardships faced by millions of Nigerians.
"The NLC and TUC have failed to stand firm against the anti-poor policies introduced by President Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidies and subsequent hikes in fuel prices," said a spokesperson for the NWF. "These decisions have plunged many into deeper poverty, yet our unions have not mobilized effectively to challenge these injustices."
The NWF highlighted that recent economic reforms have exacerbated Nigeria's cost-of-living crisis, pushing inflation rates to alarming levels. Reports indicate that fuel prices have surged by over 600% in some regions since the subsidy removal, severely impacting transportation costs and food prices across the nation.
The Forum further criticized union leaders for their perceived complacency and lack of accountability in addressing these critical issues. "It is unacceptable that while workers suffer, our unions engage in empty rhetoric instead of taking decisive action," they stated.