The Nigeria Labour Congress has known as for the withdrawal of the Tax Reform Payments submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the Nationwide Meeting, urging a extra inclusive course of involving key nationwide stakeholders.
The union, in its New Yr message to Nigerians on Tuesday, emphasised the necessity for the federal government to prioritise citizen welfare and tackle the rising value of residing in 2025.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the payments as controversial, notably in northern areas, the place they’ve been criticised as detrimental to financial development.
He said that making a complete nationwide tax coverage requires collaboration throughout all sectors to make sure transparency and acceptance.
Within the assertion titled ‘In 2025, hope is in our collective resolve’, the NLC urged the federal government to prioritise insurance policies that enhance entry to meals, healthcare, housing, schooling, transportation, and safety.
It additionally known as for enhanced employee welfare, stating that fulfilling these wants is key to efficient governance.
Ajaero emphasised the union’s dedication to negotiating an upward wage assessment to handle the financial challenges confronted by employees.
He confused the necessity for compliance with the 2024 Nationwide Minimal Wage Act and pledged to interact the federal government in safeguarding employees’ welfare by way of honest wage changes.
The NLC additionally criticised the rising use of drive in interactions with unions, warning that such actions may disrupt industrial concord.
“As we step into the yr 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, extends heat New Yr greetings to each employee and citizen throughout our nice nation.
“The challenges of survival we now have confronted as a folks should not maintain us down. As an alternative, allow us to discover internal power to construct a collective resolve to drive Nigeria out of the morass of underdevelopment that has held it captive for a lot too lengthy.
“No exterior energy will ship us from the scourge of financial hardship and stagnation. It’s only by way of our collective effort and dedication that we will propel our nation ahead,” the assertion learn.
It urged the federal government to interact in significant social dialogue and uphold agreements with commerce unions to keep up peace within the labour sector.
Wanting forward, the NLC plans to host a nationwide dialogue in Ibadan this January to foster collaboration on a brand new tax framework that helps nationwide growth.
The union expressed hope for constructive engagement with social companions to construct a extra inclusive and affluent Nigeria.
The assertion added, “It’s on this premise that we as soon as once more name on the federal authorities to withdraw its current tax payments earlier than the Nationwide Meeting so that every one key nationwide stakeholders will probably be a part of the method.
“As we embark on a nationwide dialogue in Ibadan in January 2025, we need to be a part of palms in co-creating a brand new nationwide tax legislation that will take pleasure in wider acceptance and fulfil its goal of propelling nationwide growth which we imagine is the primary goal of presidency.
“As we transfer into 2025, we urge the federal authorities to prioritise industrial peace by taking social dialogue severely, pursuing pro-human progress insurance policies, and respecting agreements with commerce unions.
“We insist that governments in any respect ranges should adjust to the provisions of the 2024 Nationwide Minimal Wage Act from the very starting of the yr. Moreover, given the financial realities imposed by latest authorities insurance policies, we will have interaction the federal government for a wage assessment to safeguard employees’ welfare.”
The NLC reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for employees’ rights and guaranteeing that governance displays the wants of residents, urging unity and collective resolve to drive the nation towards sustainable growth.