US-Israel-Iran war: TUC demands 50% tax cut for workers, manufacturers
…labour urges FG to prioritise workers’ welfare The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has demanded a 50 percent tax reduction for manufacturing companies and workers to ease economic pressure
...labour urges FG to prioritise workers’ welfare
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has demanded a 50 percent tax reduction for manufacturing companies and workers to ease economic pressure and support productivity.
The Congress noted that the ongoing Iran–United States conflict had impacted the global economy, warning that Nigeria could face worsening inflation, higher energy costs and increased hardship despite being an oil-producing country.
At the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, the union called on the Federal Government to address rising fuel prices, escalating insecurity, electricity tariff hikes and the growing casualisation of labour.
The TUC insisted that workers’ welfare must take priority in national policy decisions.
The communiqué, jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, said the Congress reviewed the state of the nation, reports from affiliates and state councils, preparations for the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, as well as other pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers and citizens.
The Congress noted that global oil price increases hardly translate into relief for Nigerian workers, but instead trigger higher fuel prices, imported inflation and rising costs of goods and services.
“The government must take urgent steps to protect Nigerians in affected regions, curb profiteering, strengthen local refining capacity, build strategic fuel reserves, and ensure that any additional crude oil revenue is transparently deployed to cushion the impact on workers and vulnerable citizens,” the communiqué stated.
On insecurity, the TUC described the worsening cases of kidnappings, banditry, terrorism, communal clashes and highway abductions as both a security and economic emergency.
The Congress noted that insecurity had become a major labour challenge, stressing that farmers are unable to access their farms, businesses are shutting down and workers face danger while commuting.
“Insecurity has evolved into a major economic and labour crisis. When farmers are unable to access their farms, food production declines and prices rise. When workers cannot travel safely, productivity suffers. When communities are displaced, businesses collapse and jobs are lost,” Osifo said while reading the communiqué.
The union urged all levels of government and security agencies to adopt what it described as a coordinated, intelligence-driven and community-based security framework to tackle the crisis.
On fuel prices and local refining, the TUC warned against further increases in the pump price of petroleum products, saying the combined impact of crude oil volatility, exchange rate instability and supply challenges was worsening the cost of living.
To address the challenge, the Congress asked the Federal Government to channel excess crude oil revenue into supporting local refining.
“NEC therefore calls on the Federal Government to allocate part of excess crude revenue—earned above the budget benchmark—to subsidise crude oil supplied to domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries,” the communiqué stated.
The TUC said such intervention would help reduce the cost of refined products without returning to the fuel subsidy regime.
On the recently announced ₦10 billion housing loan scheme for federal civil servants, the Congress welcomed the initiative but cautioned against poor implementation.
While describing the housing loan as a positive step, TUC insisted that it must be transparent, affordable and accessible to ordinary workers.
“The scheme must be accessible, affordable, transparent, and free from bureaucratic bottlenecks,” the Congress said.
It added that state governments should replicate similar programmes for local government workers, private sector employees and retirees.
The union also condemned the continuous increase in electricity tariffs, describing it as unjustifiable in the face of poor power supply and estimated billing.
It criticised the tariff band system, saying many Nigerians were paying premium rates without receiving commensurate electricity.
“Nigerians must not be forced to pay for inefficiency. Any tariff regime must be fair, transparent, service-based, and accountable,” the TUC stated.
The Congress called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and electricity distribution companies to ensure universal metering, eliminate estimated billing and improve power supply.
On labour issues, the TUC expressed concern over what it described as the increasing casualisation of workers, especially in the private sector, and called on the Ministry of Labour to step in and protect vulnerable employees.
The union also condemned what it termed unfair labour practices in the food and beverage sector, particularly the dispute involving National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and distilled products companies.
It urged the Minister of Health and Social Welfare to intervene and bring all parties to the negotiation table.
On internal matters, NEC commended its leadership for sustained engagement on workers’ welfare and industrial relations, while also disclosing progress in acquiring a permanent national secretariat for the Congress.
The TUC further reaffirmed its recognition of Comrade Hannah Omeje as the duly elected chairperson of its Lagos State Council, while directing an audit of state councils to ensure only financial members occupy leadership positions.
Ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, the Congress said this year’s May Day theme would focus on decent work, economic justice, social protection, job security and the defence of workers’ rights.
The TUC warned that while it remains committed to constructive engagement and social dialogue, it would not hesitate to mobilise workers if government policies continue to worsen hardship or undermine workers’ rights.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria remains committed to constructive engagement, social dialogue, and national development. However, Congress will not hesitate to mobilize workers where policies continue to deepen hardship or undermine the rights and welfare of the working people,” the communiqué added.
