The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s planned 5% tax on petroleum products.
Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, President and General Secretary of TUC respectively, in a statement described the proposal as “reckless act of economic wickedness.”
Recall that the Federal Government had said it 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.
But in the statement, the TUC has asked the government to withdraw the proposal within 14 days.
The union vowed to shut down critical sectors in the country if the government failed to do so.
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.”
