….As President Tinubu Assures Workers Of Improved Welfare
Organised Labour groups in Nigeria on Thursday submitted a 20-point demand to the Federal Government as part of the activities to commemorate the 2025 Workers’ Day at Eagles Square, Abuja and other parts of the country.
Specifically, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), solicited tax cuts, better retirement package, salary adjustment, withdrawal of the Tax Bills now before the National Assembly, reversal of the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, reduction of telecommunication services tariff from 50% to 35% and upward review of retirement age of workers from 60 to 65 years, amongst others.
The National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who formally made the demands during the event in Abuja, canvassed the need for enhanced welfare of workers in the country.
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According to him, it has become imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants in the country for fairness and justice.
Ajaero, who expressed the joint position of the labour groups, harped on the urgent need for salary adjustments that reflected current economic realities, stressing that workers cannot continue to bear the burden of inflation, rising costs, and policy failures of successive governments.
While flawing the existing PAYE tax system and demanded transparency in how the deductions are calculated and applied, the labour unions also called for the withdrawal of the Tax Bills currently before the National Assembly, based on their claim that views of Nigerian workers were not heard before the proposed legislations were forwarded to the Legislature..
The NLC leader, in his speech jointly signed with his TUC counterpart, Comrade Festus Osifo, maintained that workers’ representation must be considered by the Federal Government during the formulation of tax policies that will directly affect them.
Ajaero lamented over what the labour unions termed the continued prioritisation of corporate profits over the survival of the ordinary Nigerians, stressing the need for people-oriented reforms in governance.
He explained that essential services such as energy, infrastructure, and public utilities must be designed toward serving the public interest rather than private gains.
The NLC leader clarified: “We make the following demands: An urgent reversal of the unconstitutional suspension of the elected Government of Rivers State via a state of emergency, which is alien to our laws.
“That the federal and state governments should cease actions that erode the civic space but should encourage and deepen it for the sake of our nation. An immediate salary adjustment in sync with economic realities.
“That government explains what exactly it is taxing in the PAYEE. The withdrawal of the Tax Bills before the National Assembly to allow Nigerian workers to sit at the table where it is being conceived.
“An immediate implementation of the reduction of telco tariff from 50 per cent to 35 per cent as agreed. Economic Justice: A living wage, fair taxation, and an end to policies that prioritise corporate profits over workers’ survival.
“Democratic accountability, transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to the suppression of dissent. Energy, infrastructure, and essential services must serve the people, not private interests. Regulators must work for the people!
“An end to the genocidal killings and bloodletting across the nation. Workers’ rights and security – Safe workplaces, the right to organise, and protection from state and employer violence.
“An expansion of National Labour Advisory Council’s activities and increasing the meeting periods: That the indiscriminate registration of new unions in areas with proper coverage should stop. Immediate payment of all outstanding allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation.
“Restoration of gratuity payments: Public servants, who served diligently for decades, deserve a dignified exit just like political office holders who serve for much shorter periods.
“Upward Review of Retirement Age: It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service, currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges, to all public servants.
“An end to dehumanising verification exercises in the public service. An acceptable National Minimum Pension to guarantee dignity in retirement. Automatic adjustment of pensions to reflect inflationary trends. Once again, we call for a review of the electricity privatisation exercise with the view to a reversal”, he added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu in his address delivered by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, promised better conditions of service and protection of workers’ interests in his administration’s policies and programmes.
He maintained that his administration was determined to pursue a labour-first agenda that prioritises workplace protections, employment security and job creation
The President assured: “On our part as government, we will continue to strengthen labour protections, improve job security and ensure fair treatment for all workers in line with international best practices.”
Describing organised labour as “the backbone of our society”, the President explained the administration’s commitment to continuing with wide-ranging reforms that span job creation, civic participation and an intensified fight against corruption.
Tinubu further said: “Let me also express my profound appreciation to the leadership of the two national labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, for their tireless efforts in organising this year’s May Day celebrations.
“The government recognises and respects your contributions in fostering dialogue, promoting workers’ rights, and ensuring that the voices of Nigeria’s workforce are always heard loud and clear.
“Your efforts and sacrifices have not only uplifted the lives of your members but have also contributed to the betterment of our society.
“As we mark this day, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to a nation where workers are safe, empowered, and have the freedom to actively participate in shaping the future of our country,” he added.
The President restated his administration’s readiness to collaborate with labour unions, the organised and informal private sector, and civil society organisations to introduce policies and programmes that will safeguard the rights and livelihoods of workers in the country.
On this year’s May Day theme ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’, the President noted that the “theme is one that demands our collective attention and serves as a stark reminder of the need to create an environment where every worker feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute productively to the growth and prosperity of our nation.
“As your President, I assure you that this administration is committed to creating such a utopic climate for the common good.
“Economic hardship, which today is a global phenomenon, cuts across all regions, testing the resolve of world leaders, but has not broken our spirit”, Tinubu added.
