NASU demands review of Minimum Wage over inflation

Members of the Non Academic Staff Union of Associated Institutions (NASU) have demanded immediate review of the present Minimum Wage in the country to ameliorate the effect of biting inflation on the workers and their families.
The Examination Bodies and Libraries Trade Group Council of NASU in its resolution at the end of its regular meeting in Delta State which was jointly signed by Sunday Obabunmi, Deputy President/Chairman and Secretary, Amalu noted that the review will upgrade the standard of living of the citizens.
The resolutions read , “The Council-in Session lamented the pitiable state of the Nation’s economy where workers’ monthly salaries can no longer sustain them and their families.
“The Council-in Session expressed worry over the hyper inflation in the country which has caused untold hardship for the citizens of Nigeria.”
The union lamented the exportation of crude oil as the only source of revenue generation for the Country, noting further that the exchange rate has gone up to N700 to $1 and that has caused a multiplier effect on the cost of commodities and services.                           As part of the solution to the nation’s economic problem, NASU leadership called on the government to invest in agriculture, technology and revamp the petroleum refineries to minimize importation and increase the revenue generation of the Nation.  
The union condemned in its entirety the delay in payment of salaries of workers by some State Governments under the guise of dwindling revenue allocation to the States.
It noted that the prevailing economic situation in the Country has rendered the current Minimum Wage worthless and as such a labourer in Nigeria deserves to be paid his wages as and when due. 
It further lamented the huge sums of money spent by the governments as security votes, cost of governance and lobbying for political offices during elections while the workers are owed salaries for months with impunity.
“The Council-in-Session therefore called on the affected State Governors to pay all arrears of salaries, allowances and pension owed to workers of the states who devoted their time to the service of the Nation and release the Union’s check-off dues in the interest of industrial peace.
“Moreso, the Council commended the Federal Government and few other State Governments that pay salaries as and when due and urged Governments at all levels to diversify their means of revenue generation as well as cut down the cost of governance and electioneering process to pave way for a stronger revenue base,” the statement added.
However as the preparation for the 2023 election hots up, NASU expressing dissatisfaction with the electoral processes and domineering influence of the ruling class has charged workers, youths, organizations and well meaning Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and exercise their franchise by voting for credible persons with the vision of a new Nigeria.
The union said it has considered the impact of poverty, hunger and insecurity as weak points of the ordinary citizens of Nigeria which the ruling class uses as weapon to influence the choice of people in governance.
“The Council noted that the skewed political processes has resulted in hunger, insecurity, bad economy and brought untold hardship on Nigerians while the politicians are busy looting the Nation’s treasury,” it stated.
For a positive change to be entrenched in 2023, NASU’s leadership likewise  called on the government at all levels to ensure free, fair and credible electoral processes during the next year General Election.