The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned the Federal Government against leveraging escalating tensions in the Middle East as an excuse to further impoverish Nigerians.
In a statement released on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero asserted that the primary function of government is to cater to the welfare of its citizens, a responsibility that must not be jeopardized by global crises.
Ajaero maintained that the government cannot foreclose actions that offer succor to the public, demanding immediate intervention to alleviate economic hardship.
He argued that it is the duty of the state to act decisively to prevent citizen agony rather than wringing its hands in a show of hopelessness while citing the Middle East conflict.
Referencing the latest forecasts by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the NLC President noted that Nigeria stands to reap approximately ₦30 trillion in oil windfalls resulting from the current crisis.
He insisted that these projected gains must not be mismanaged, drawing a sharp contrast to the handling of previous windfalls.
Ajaero emphasized that this current revenue should be invested directly in the Nigerian people to cushion the negative domestic effects of the global hostile order.
As part of a strategic recovery plan, the NLC advised the government to immediately halt the perceived vandalism of the public sector and prioritize bringing the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries back on stream.
Ajaero framed the operationalization of these refineries not as a favor from the government, but as a fundamental right of the Nigerian people.
He further suggested a strict timeline for the full-scale restoration of all public refineries, adding that the state must be held accountable for the billions of naira previously spent on turnaround maintenance.
Beyond infrastructure, the Labor leader called for sincere social dialogue between the government, Nigerian workers, and the broader citizenry.
He proposed an immediate Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers to combat the soaring cost of living.
Additionally, Ajaero recommended an expansion and complete overhaul of the National Cash Transfer program to ensure transparency, ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable with values adjusted to match current inflation rates.
The statement concluded with a call for immediate tax relief for workers and a cessation of regressive taxes on low-income earners, specifically opposing proposed taxes on the informal economy.
