The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw his controversial tax bills currently before the National Assembly.
In a New Year message titled “In 2025, Hope Is in Our Collective Resolve” and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC stressed that the withdrawal of these bills is necessary to safeguard the welfare of Nigerian workers.
Ajaero emphasised the need for all key national stakeholders to be involved in the legislative process, calling on the government to uphold transparency, inclusivity, and honesty in its engagement with the masses.
He further urged the federal government to prioritise industrial peace by embracing social dialogue, implementing pro-human-progress policies, and honouring agreements reached with trade unions.
The NLC president also appealed to governments at all levels to ensure governance translates into tangible benefits for citizens, stating that the welfare of the people remains the primary justification for the existence of any government.
Ajaero reiterated the NLC’s insistence that all governments comply with the provisions of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act from the start of the year.
In light of the economic hardships stemming from recent government policies, he added that the NLC would push for a wage review to protect workers’ welfare.
“As we step into the year 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, extends warm New Year greetings to every worker and citizen across our great nation. The challenges of survival we have faced as a people must not hold us down. Instead, let us find inner strength to build a collective resolve to drive Nigeria out of the morass of underdevelopment that has held it captive for far too long.
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“No external power will deliver us from the scourge of economic hardship and stagnation. It is only through our collective effort and determination that we can propel our nation forward. We must build inner strength to find this collective resolve across the length and breadth of our great nation. This is our civic responsibility—one we must embrace with unwavering determination”, the statement added.
Ajaero emphasised that the growing reliance on violence in dealings with workers and unions must end, as it fosters industrial unrest and disrupts harmony.
He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of trade unions to Nigeria’s progress, underscoring their dual role in advancing national development and safeguarding the rights of workers and citizens alike.
Highlighting the unions’ significant stake in the country, he stressed their vested interest in ensuring that the government’s policies deliver optimal outcomes for the nation.
Ajaero called on the government to prioritise effective governance, reminding them that the NLC is accountable to its members and cannot abdicate its responsibilities.
The statement further added, “Access to food and nutrition, better healthcare, quality housing, education, transportation and greater security of lives and properties, including the right to participate in decisions on how they are ruled, are the key expectations of the people and workers.
“Policies must, therefore, reflect transparency, honesty, and inclusivity, devoid of chicanery, nepotism, and strong-arm tactics.
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“To create a thriving, democratic nation, we need a system built on the tenets of social dialogue, allowing critical stakeholders to participate actively in nation-building. Such inclusiveness will foster deeper ownership of government policies, ensuring stability and sustainability.
‘’As we embark on a national dialogue in Ibadan in January 2025, we want to join hands in co-creating a new national tax law that would enjoy wider acceptance and fulfil its purpose of propelling national development which we believe is the main objective of the government.
“Our nation will become more productive when the incomes of workers can meet at least their basic needs, thus committing more to their work. In this, we believe there ought to be unanimity between us and governments at various levels. We look forward to fruitful engagement on this with our social partners as we move into 2025.
“Let us unite in our resolve to ensure a Nigeria where workers’ welfare, decent work environments, and the security of life and property are prioritized. Together, through collective effort and determination, we can transform our nation into one of progress, inclusion and shared prosperity.”
