The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), demanded payment of a new minimum wage of ₦200,000 monthly for Nigerian workers to ease the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy. 

The union has also demanded that the government reverts back to the old N185 pump price of petrol per litre to allow for a conducive environment for negotiation.

In a statement obtained on Tuesday morning, the President and Secretary General, Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, respectively, TUC said: ‘For immediate implementation: Status quo ante of PMS pump price should be maintained while discussion continues. The minimum wage should be increased from the current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustments on the cost of living allowance, COLA, like feeding, transport, housing, etc.

‘A representative of state governors will be party to this communiqué and all the governors must commit to implement the new minimum wage.

‘Tax holiday for employees both in government and private sector that earn less than N200,000 or 500USD monthly whichever is higher. PMS allowance to be introduced for those earning between N200,000 and N500,000 or 500USD to 1,200USD whichever is higher.

‘The exchange rate for retailing PMS in the country must be kept within a limit of two per cent for the next 10 years where the fluctuation is more than two per cent, the minimum wage will automatically increase at the same rate.