As Nigerian workers mark the 2024 May Day on Wednesday, organized labor expresses worry over soaring food prices and fuel shortages, posing threats to workers’ livelihoods.
Leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, in separate conversations with The PUNCH, voiced concerns about the challenging economic climate exacerbated by steep electricity tariff hikes and high fuel costs.
While the unions highlighted economic hardships, queues at gas stations intensified on Tuesday due to petrol shortages, leaving many workers and students stranded en route to their destinations.
Bemoaning the inflated food prices, labor representatives noted the struggle for workers to meet their needs. Prices of staple foods like rice, beans, maize, plantain, and tomatoes surged by 25.34% to 40.01% as of March 2024.
Adding to the woes, the government raised electricity tariffs by 603% to N225 per kilowatt-hour, further burdening citizens.
This year’s Workers’ Day coincides with escalating inflation and severe fuel shortages across the nation, coupled with a stagnant minimum wage despite soaring living costs.
Labour leaders in Ekiti State described workers’ survival amidst the economic realities as miraculous, citing inflation, poverty rates, electricity tariffs, and high fuel prices.
The TUC Chairman, Sola Adigun, said, “The survival of workers and Nigerians as a whole under the present economic hardship and reality is a miracle; That Nigerian workers could survive and still find ways of going to offices, doing their work; I think it takes God’s miracle to do that.
“I want to say that the present economic situation, poverty level, removal of fuel subsidy, the galloping food inflation in the country are threats to the existence of an average Nigerian vis a vis workers. They are threats to our existence and comfort.”
“That we can still survive all these untoward situations is worth celebrating. That you and I are still alive in this country called Nigeria despite all these is worth celebration; That we have opportunities to ask our employers without fear of being arrested, without intimidation, is worth being celebrated.’’
“If you compare the present situation, though we are complaining about the inflation, poverty level, etc, by tomorrow (May 1), in all states across the country, labour leaders will stand up and demand and make complaints.
“I want to tell you, we are so sure that the labour leaders will do all these without being threatened. Some years ago, such could not happen.
“With that, it is worth celebrating although the economic reality, poverty level, rising inflation, increasing fuel prices are not good elements of celebrating Nigerian workers,” the labour leader said.