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 percent tax on petroleum products.
The Union called on the government to immediately stop the anti-people plan in its entirely, describing the policy as “economic wickedness” against an already overburdened citizens battling subsidy removal, soaring fuel prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.
TUC President General, Festus Osifo,stated this on Monday in Abuja in a joint statement signed with Nuhu Toro, General Secretary of the union.
It said failure to stop the policy would leave the Union with no option but to mobilise Nigerians and the masses for a total nationwide resistance.
The Union stated “Strike action is firmly on the table, if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” .
It further said “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 and the tax proposal is anti-people, unacceptable”.
The TUC further directed all state councils, affiliates, and structures to remain vigilant and await further communication that could culminate in decisive action.
The union equally 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.
It said “Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” .
