The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed five percent tax on petroleum products.
In a statement on Monday, TUC President General, Festus Osifo, and Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, described the policy as “economic wickedness” against already overburdened Nigerians.
The union leaders said the levy would further worsen hardship at a time when citizens are still grappling with the impact of petrol subsidy removal, high food prices, and a weakening naira.
“Let it be clear: workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a collapsing naira. To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty,” the statement reads.
“Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. Instead of offering relief, jobs, and solutions, it has chosen to further squeeze citizens dry. This is unacceptable!
“The TUC hereby urge the Federal Government to immediately stop this anti-people’s plan in its entirety. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilize Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance. Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy.”
Consequently, the TUC leaders instructed their state councils, affiliates, and structures across the country to stay alert and await further directives, which could lead to decisive action if the government chooses to disregard the people’s collective will.
They also called on civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, and faith leaders to stand in solidarity with the union to resist “policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future”.
“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the union leaders added.
