Following the passage of the 2015 budget by the Senate with the exclusion of provisions for fuel and kerosene subsidies, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria have said they would reject any attempt to remove the subsidy.

The Chairman of the NLC/TUC May Day Committee,  Peter Adeyemi, speaking at a pre-May Day press conference in Abuja yesterday, said several governments have tried to do same, but have met with stiff resistance from the labour movements.

“...We hope that the incoming government, in its desperate bid to look for money, would not look for money in the wrong places,” he said.

Adeyemi, who is also Deputy President of the NLC said it is unfair that workers are being made to pay for the ineptitudes of those managing the economy.

He disclosed the labour movement in the next few days would take practical steps against state governments that are owing workers salaries’ with some running into five months.

Alleging that some states governors used state funds for political campaigns, Adeyemi disclosed that the movement is partnering with its state councils to compel the states to pay the arrears before May 29.
He queried why workers salaries suffer when talks of slashing recurrent budgets come up.

“There are so much wastages in the system. For instance, our legislators earn the highest in the world...so workers cannot be the sacrificial lamb. What percentage of  the recurrent expenditure  goes to workers, and what percentage goes to political appointees?...the fortunes of the workers have to be improved because we create the wealth,” he added.

On the news that over 200 females were rescued by the Nigerian military from Sambisa forest, the labour movement pleaded with the Boko Haram sect to release the Chibok girls who were abducted over a year ago.

It also called on the sect to lay down its arms in the spirit of a national rebirth.

Adeyemi commended the military on the successes recorded so far in the fight against terrorism and tasked the military to continue to work to ensure that all acts of terrorism and insurgency is brought to an end.

The 2015 May Day celebration themed “The Working Class, Democratic Consolidation and Economic Revival: Charting the Way to a National Rebirth” was preceded by a road show held in Abuja yesterday. Some of the discussants at the lecture to be held today are Prof. Pat Utomi and Femi Falana.

The May Day rally would be held at the Eagle Square in Abuja and all state capitals.