Subsidy removal: Group urges FG, NLC on increasing minimum wage to N100,000

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A non-governmental organization, United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP) has called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to as a matter of urgency work out modalities to increase the minimum wage of workers from N30,000 to N100, 000.

It also called on the Federal Government to cut its expenses on running governance so as to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal and save for the future, saying “We truly must cut government spending especially on reckless spending,bogus and absurd allowances and duplication of offices,roles and functions of ministries,agencies and parastatals and also shrinking of political appointees.”

Chairman, UGRFP, Shalom Olaseni was reacting to the 114 per cent upward review being advocated by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for all public holders, adding that the review by the commission is a necessity that reflects the current realities of the economy.

Olaseni explained that the commission is not to be blamed but the political office holders who are heartless, stressing that the political officers would rather tediously work to keep themselves fatter at the expense of the people getting slimmer and getting ripped off.

He said: “The 114% upward review by the RMAFC is a necessity reflecting the current realities of the economy of the country with inflation rate moving from 9.1% in 2015 to 22.22% this year which is about 250% in 8 years.

“The economic situation of the country is beyond bearable and it has to be a miracle that the citizens could still survive and live by the hardship.

“The RMAFC are simply doing the job they are commissioned to do to reflect the current economic realities for elected politicians that are elected by the people but these public office holders are not doing the job they are elected to do which is to keep the people safe,reduce the cost of living while also increasing the standard of living.

”NLC and the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency work on increasing the minimum wage to at least #100,000 but that in itself is just a band aid approach to the economic quagmire that we are in.

“The lasting solution for our economy has to be production driven in all sectors as well have all the human capital that we need to make that happen. We are only held down by the political will of our leaders and having a smart leadership will help resolve all these and will make our country safe and our people prosperous.”