Economy: Council Workers Demand 300 Percent Pay Rise

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has demanded a 300 percent increase in minimum wage.

The local government workers’ demand is in response to the recent economic situation in the country, caused by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Workers across the country are demanding an incremental pay rise to be able to cope with the rising prices of essential commodities.

According to a statement signed on Thursday in Abuja  by Ambali Olatunji and ISA Gambo, NULGE National President and secretary respectively, said the 300 percent pay rise is necessary to view of inflation caused by petrol subsidy removal.

The union stated that state governors have not been doing well for local governments, urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency at that level, adding that a special infrastructure fund should be created to provide welfare for the people.

This will address the issue of infrastructure decay, poverty and unemployment at the local level, the union said.

Also, the union urged  the federal government to utilise the $800 million from the World Bank to provide mass transit and other interventions, as well as tax rebate to SMEs and low income earners in the country.

 NULGE said “it is the conviction of the union that autonomy for local governments remains the best way to return the country to the part of development and growth,” he said.

“This will translate to the direct funding of local governments without which no genuine national development can be achieved.”

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that plan is ongoing to increase workers salary.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday also approved the establishment of Infrastructure Support Fund, ISF, as part of efforts to cushion effects of subsidy removal.