THE Nigerian central labour movement on Tuesday insisted on the implementation of an agreed 25% wage increase for public sector workers from next year. Following a slight increase in the price of fuel at the pumps, the Nigerian government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had in June last year agreed that workers’ salaries be increased by 25% with effect from January 2002. “There is no way we can be persuaded to drop that position (agreement),” NLC president Adams Oshiomhole said on Tuesday on national television. He accused politicians of double standards by drawing fat salaries fixed by the federal government while arguing against higher pay for workers. The basic monthly minimum wage was increased from about 125 naira mid-last year to between 6 500 naira ($58) and 7 500 naira ($67 dollars). Oshiomhole said that labour was pressing for higher wages for public servants to cushion the effects of inflation. Inflation in Nigeria rose to 18,4% in September from 18,1% in August, the Federal Office of Statistics said. – AFP