Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe, President of the National Association of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Anambra State Chapter, has urged the federal government to avoid actions that could push the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) into another indefinite strike, emphasizing the detrimental impact such a strike could have on the nation.
Speaking to ABS in Awka, Comrade Adigwe criticized the federal government’s recurrent neglect of workers’ welfare. He described Nigerian workers as productive, enterprising, and intelligent, deserving of appreciation and better treatment from all levels of government.
Adigwe expressed dismay at the government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage amidst hyperinflation and harsh economic conditions, calling it an insult to the sensibilities of millions of Nigerian workers. He highlighted the severe hardships faced by workers, including preventable illnesses, poor infrastructure, and insecurity, and noted that the proposed wage is insufficient to meet basic needs, contrasting it with the lavish expenses of politicians.
The NULGE President called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to re-evaluate and provide a living wage comparable to those in other major oil-producing countries. He warned that failure to act within the grace period given by organized labor could lead to an unprecedented nationwide strike, potentially shutting down the entire country.
