The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed shock and dismay over the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, demanding its immediate reversal by the Federal Government.
In a statement by its President, Festus Osifo, TUC argued that the sudden increase in fuel and electricity costs will deepen poverty, worsen hardship across the country, and could potentially lead to social unrest.
“TUC received the news of the PMS price hike with deep concern,” the statement read. “The burden of this increase affects every aspect of our socio-economic life. Implementing such a hike without consulting critical stakeholders is a blatant disregard for the welfare of Nigerians, particularly the working class who are most affected by these decisions.”
The union expressed alarm over the nationwide impact of the fuel price increase, noting that it has caused widespread anxiety and further exacerbated the already unprecedented hardship faced by citizens. Additionally, the TUC condemned the recent electricity tariff hike of 250 percent, highlighting its disproportionate effect on the poorest members of society.
“The timing and scale of these increases, without any meaningful social security measures in place, show a lack of empathy for the struggles of ordinary Nigerians,” Osifo added. “Why should ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of rising living costs while those in power enjoy increased allocations and affluence?”
The TUC criticized the government for failing to reduce the cost of governance or focus on policies that would strengthen the naira and improve living standards. The Congress reiterated its previous recommendations aimed at stabilizing the currency and addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s economic challenges, which it said have largely been ignored.
“The TUC stands with Nigerian workers, who are battling inflation, high living costs, and inadequate working conditions. The fuel and electricity hikes will only aggravate these issues, leading to more hardship and potential social unrest.”
The TUC called on the government to immediately reverse these decisions, introduce policies to strengthen the naira, and take decisive action to ease the suffering of Nigerians. The union also emphasized its commitment to defending the rights of workers and advocating for social justice, fair wages, and decent working conditions.
