The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has raised concern over worsening poverty, inflation, food insecurity and other economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
Speaking at the 1st Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Lagos State Council on Wednesday, TUC President, Festus Osifo, said no fewer than 56 percent of Nigerians now live below the poverty line.
Osifo, represented by the Acting Secretary-General of the union, Olawunmi Jimoh, described the situation as evidence that “the system has failed Nigerians.”
“The realities around us are grim: runaway inflation, widespread food insecurity, unaffordable education, epileptic power supply, a weakened agricultural system, and a culture of unsustainable borrowing. These are not just policy failures; they are symptoms of a system that has failed its people,” he said.
The labour leader stressed that the TUC has a duty to speak truth to power and take decisive action to defend workers’ rights and welfare.
He also condemned moves to transfer labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, warning that the proposed constitutional amendment would weaken organised labour.
“This proposed amendment is anti-worker, retrogressive, and a direct threat to the unity and strength of the Nigerian labour movement. We reject it categorically and will resist it with every lawful means at our disposal,” Osifo declared.
He said all TUC state councils had been placed on red alert and instructed to act promptly when directed by the national leadership.
“We must defend the hard-won rights of Nigerian workers without hesitation. Where local mechanisms fall short, we shall intervene as a united front, employing robust engagement and determined advocacy to deliver justice and protect the welfare of workers,” he added.
