TUC
PicNews
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to withdraw the planned 5% tax on petroleum products, warning that failure to comply will lead to a nationwide strike. The TUC describes the tax as an “act of economic wickedness” that will further impoverish Nigerians already struggling with subsidy removal, inflation, and a battered economy. According to the TUC, the tax will compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty.
The government is accused of using Nigerians as “sacrificial lambs” for its economic experiments, instead of offering relief and solutions. Nigerians are already overburdened with different taxes, making the new levy unacceptable. The TUC argues that the tax will have far-reaching consequences for the economy and the people, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized.
The government justifies the tax by stating that it aims to provide steady funding for road projects and close Nigeria’s infrastructure gaps. It also points out that over 150 countries implement similar taxes at higher rates, suggesting that this is a global precedent. However, the TUC remains unconvinced, arguing that the tax will do more harm than good.
In response to the government’s position, the TUC has vowed to mobilize Nigerian workers and masses for a total nationwide resistance if the tax isn’t withdrawn. Strike action is “firmly on the table” if the government ignores the warning and proceeds with the policy. The TUC is urging civil society organizations, student unions, professional bodies, and patriotic Nigerians to stand in solidarity against the policy.
The TUC’s position is clear: the tax must be withdrawn, and the government must prioritize the welfare of its citizens. As the deadline for the government’s response approaches, the tension is building, and Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see what the government will do. Will the government listen to the TUC’s demands, or will it push ahead with the tax? The outcome will have significant implications for the economy and the people.
