The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to withdraw its proposed five per cent tax on petroleum products.
TUC President General, Mr Festus Osifo, stated this in Abuja on Monday in a joint statement with the union’s General Secretary, Mr Nuhu Toro.
The union described the policy as “economic wickedness” against already overburdened Nigerians struggling with the removal of fuel subsidy, soaring pump prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.
“To now introduce another levy is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty. Nigerians cannot continue to be used as sacrificial lambs for economic experiments. The tax proposal is anti-people and unacceptable,” the statement read.
The TUC urged the Federal Government to halt the plan immediately, warning that failure to do so would leave the union with no choice but to mobilise workers and citizens for nationwide resistance.
“Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” it said.
The union further directed all state councils, affiliates, and structures to remain vigilant and await further instructions that could culminate in decisive action. It also called on civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, faith leaders, and market associations to join in solidarity against what it described as an unjust economic policy.
“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” it added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the TUC condemned alleged anti-labour practices, intimidation, and harassment of workers across Dangote Group companies.
It recalled that the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had accused Dangote firms of denying workers the right to unionise and assaulting their dignity through persistent intimidation.
“We will not fold our arms while Dangote treats Nigerian workers as slaves in their own country. No employer, no matter how wealthy, will be allowed to trample on labour,” the TUC declared.
The union urged Dangote Group to address complaints raised by PENGASSAN and NUPENG, and to recognise the rights of all affected unions immediately and unconditionally.
It warned that failure to comply would trigger nationwide solidarity action, with the TUC and its affiliates standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“This is not an appeal. It is a final warning. An injury to one is an injury to all. Touch PENGASSAN, CANMPSSAN, TGTSSAN, or NUPENG, you touch the entire labour movement,” it said.
