The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has criticized the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for not doing enough for Nigerian workers. Osifo argued that despite the increase in minimum wage, workers have fared worse under the current administration than under previous governments due to inflation and foreign exchange rates.
Osifo made these comments in response to a statement by Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, who said that the Buhari administration has done enough for workers in the country. Ngige claimed that the government treated workers better than its predecessors, and that it had not retrenched workers because of the state of the economy.
However, Osifo disagreed with Ngige’s comments, stating that the purchasing power of Nigerian workers had been eroded by inflation and foreign exchange rates. He added that the average Nigerian worker’s plight had not been good, and that the issues of security had worsened under the current administration.
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Osifo’s comments reflect the ongoing debate about the state of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of Nigerian workers. While the Buhari administration has introduced policies aimed at improving the welfare of workers, such as the increase in the minimum wage, critics argue that these policies have been insufficient to address the challenges facing workers.
The issue of inflation has been particularly contentious, as rising prices have eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities. The debate underscores the need for policymakers to develop policies that can address the challenges facing Nigerian workers and improve their welfare. Osifo explained.