NLC scuttles attempt to hike fuel price...welcomes new salary structure
NLC said last weekend that it scuttled an attempt by government to increase fuel prices in December 2006.
NLC President, Adams Oshiomhole, told newsmen in Abuja that “In December 2006, PPPRA leadership attempted to raise prices of fuel but our representative on the committee opposed it’’.
He explained that “due to the attempt, major oil marketers resorted to hoarding though as of yesterday it can no longer be said that the problem is associated to hoarding’’.
Oshiomhole, noted that with the conflicting explanations from government on the persistent fuel crisis, it was obvious that there was no sincerity on its part.
“NNPC and PPPRA have not said the truth about the real situation. It is not about labour issuing ultimatum, but about the sincerity of government that is at stake,’’ Oshiomhole said.
He expressed concern at the untold hardship Nigerians were undergoing, especially the economic effect on an average family.
Oshiomhole, who described the situation as a national embarrassment, however, warned of the consequences on the workforce, which he said included massive absenteeism and lateness to work.
In another development, the NLC said it welcomes the new salary structure with strong reservation but disagreed with government’s unilateral reduction from the recommended 25 per cent to 15 percent.
Its president, Adams Oshiomhole told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that: “with government’s unilateral reduction of the increase to 15 percent and its silence on the 10 percent annual increase spreadover five years, the essence of establishing the committee was now defeated’’.
He added, “Whereas, the committee recommended a 25 percent increase in salaries, government has now unilaterally reduced it to 15 percent without reference to the consensus reached by the committee and the unions’’.
Oshiomhole described as curious contradiction that in the white paper, government accepted the use of collective bargaining to determine terms and conditions of employment in the public sector.
“While the congress accepts the principle of consolidation of emoluments, it however noted that the amount announced for some categories of officers were unrealistic’’ he said.
Oshiomhole who cited the proposed N2.4 million annual consolidated emolument of an Assistant Inspector General of Police or a director in the civil service said it could not meet 50 percent of their basic needs under the current monetisation regime.
“The danger of subjecting these levels of federal officers to such ridiculously low pay is that there would be greater urge to resort to corrupt means to augment their low pay in order to sustain their social status,’’ he stressed.
He said that NLC would accept the increase as an interim measure and would continue the pressure for a living wage including the annual 10 per cent increase over the next five years.
Oshiomhole also called on state governments to immediately implement the 15 percent salaryincrease as an interim measure.