Organised Labour in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse what it termed the unconstitutional suspension of the elected government of Rivers State through a state of emergency.
This appeal was part of the demands presented by the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrades Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, during the May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja.
The labour leaders called on both the Federal and state governments to refrain from any actions that shrink the civic space and instead work towards expanding it for national progress.
It demanded democratic accountability, built on transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to the suppression of dissent.
Labour urged the Federal Government to end what it calls the genocidal killings and bloodletting across the country, saying the number one duty of the government is ensuring the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
On the tax bills before the National Assembly, the organised labour has called for their withdrawal to allow Nigerian workers to sit at the table where it is being conceived.
According to the organised labour, the tax bills, crafted without the input of the NLC and the TUC, impose a burden on workers while letting the rich and corporations off the hook.
On the hike in the telecommunication tariff, the labour demanded an immediate reduction from 50 percent to 35 percent.
Furthermore, the organised Labour has demanded an immediate salary adjustment that is commensurate to the current economic realities in the country.
Among other key demands were the immediate payment of all outstanding allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation; restoration of gratuity payments; upward review of retirement age; automatic adjustment of pensions to reflect inflationary trends.
What you should know
Nigeria’s organised labour marked Workers’ Day with a strong call for democratic reforms, salary adjustments, and the reversal of key government decisions, highlighting the economic and political concerns of workers nationwide.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
