The Nigerian Labour Congress has presented a 20-point demand to the Federal Government on May Day 2025.
The demand, presented at the Eagles Square in Abuja and echoed across the country, includes calls for tax reductions, an improved retirement package, and a reversal of the emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Additionally, the union is asking for salary adjustments, the withdrawal of the Tax Bills before the National Assembly, and a reduction in telecommunication tariffs from 50% to 35%.
The unions also demand the extension of the retirement age to 65 for all public servants.
Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, highlighted the need for better treatment of Nigerian workers, advocating for the revised retirement age to be applied to all government employees.
Currently, teachers, health professionals, and judges benefit from a retirement age of 65, a law enacted by the former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Economic justice was at the heart of the unions’ demands.
They stressed the importance of salary increases to match the current economic conditions and called for transparency in the calculation and application of taxes under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.
The unions also rejected the new Tax Bills, asserting that Nigerian workers should be included in discussions about tax policy.
The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) emphasized the need for reforms to the electricity sector, arguing that privatization had failed to improve service delivery and had worsened economic hardship for consumers.
They also called for the reversal of this privatization and a comprehensive review of the energy sector.
Security, governance, and workers’ rights were other key issues in the unions’ speech.
They condemned the ongoing violence across the country, labeling it genocidal, and urged the government to focus on ensuring workers’ safety.
The unions also called for the settlement of all outstanding pensions and allowances and for a review of the verification process for retirees, which they described as dehumanizing.
On matters of democratic governance, the unions pushed for greater transparency, accountability, and electoral reforms.
They condemned the suppression of civic space and urged both federal and state governments to stop actions that erode citizens’ rights.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerian workers and reiterated his commitment to improving workers’ conditions.
He promised reforms to ensure job security, better workplace protection, and stronger labor laws.
He also stated his government’s intention to pursue an agenda of job creation and poverty alleviation, particularly in light of the rising cost of living and inflation.
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