The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s proposed 5 percent tax on petroleum products, describing it as “economic wickedness” against already overburdened Nigerians.

In a statement on Monday, Festus Osifo, TUC president general, and Nuhu Toro, secretary general, said the levy would further worsen hardship at a time when citizens are still grappling with the impact of petrol subsidy removal, high food prices, and a weakening naira.

“Let it be clear: 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,” the statement reads.

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