The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to withdraw the planned 5% tax on petroleum products.
The TUC which described the proposal as “reckless act of economic wickedness,” threatened that if the Federal Government fails to withdraw the plan, it will shut down critical sectors in the country.
In a statement signed by Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, President and General Secretary of TUC respectively, they said that Nigerians were already overburdened with different taxes.
The labour leaders, who described the new tax as unacceptable, argued that Nigerians cannot be used as sacrificial lambs again, declaring that all the affiliates of the Congress had been placed on standby.
They said, “This reckless proposal is nothing but an act of economic wickedness against already overburdened Nigerians.
“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.
“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.”
Vowing to resist the implementation of the tax, the Congress added, “Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy
“Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilise Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance. Strike action is firmly on the table if the government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” the statement read.
The labour body directed all its state councils, affiliates, and structures nationwide to remain on alert and prepare for possible industrial action.
It also urged civil society organisations, professional associations, student unions, faith leaders, and market groups to stand in solidarity with the Nigerian people.
“We also call on our allies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, faith leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us in this struggle.
“Together, we must resist policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future. Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the TUC declared.
However, the federal government, while defending the surcharge the said the tax is intended to provide steady funding for road projects and close the country’s infrastructure gaps.
According to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, the measure is being implemented at a higher rate in over 150 countries.
