The Trade Union Congress,  on Monday, rejected the federal government’s planned 5% tax policy on petroleum products, warning that the move would increase suffering, cripple businesses and drive millions of citizens deeper into poverty.

The union, in a press statement signed by its national president, Festus Osifo, and secretary-general, Nuhu Toro, described the planned tax policy as an act of economic wickedness against struggling Nigerians.

“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,” TUC stated.

The group noted that it is rejecting the plan to increase the “pains”, which many Nigerian workers have been subjected to, particularly after the dramatic removal of fuel subsidy.

“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 statement read.

The union warned that the federal government’s failure to rescind the tax policy would compel it to mobilise workers nationwide for a strike action.

“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 mobilise Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance. Strike action is firmly on the table if the government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” it said.

It stated that “the TUC directs all its state councils, affiliates, and structures nationwide to remain vigilant, watchful and wait for further communication that may culminate in a decisive action should government dare to further ignore the collective will of the people.” 

The trade group called on allies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, faith leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians to fault the policy which put Nigerians at the risk of economic justice.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu’s administration signed a five per cent surcharge on all petrol and diesel sales, under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act. 

The 5% tax on petroleum products is applicable to all locally produced or imported refined fossil fuel products, exempting renewables, household kerosene, cooking gas and compressed natural gas.