By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), today, called for upward review of the retirement age for all categories of civil servants.
Already, teachers under the employment of the government at all levels are enjoying the implementation of a new retirement age, through an act signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, made the call during the May Day celebration in Eagle Square, Abuja.
Presenting some of the NLC’s demands, Mr. Ajaero said: “It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants.”
Central to their demands was a clear call for economic justice. These include:
- Urgent need for salary adjustments that reflect current economic realities, as workers cannot continue to bear the brunt of inflation, rising costs, and policy failures;
- Questioned the existing PAYEE tax system, asking the government what exactly is being taxed, demanding transparency in how these deductions are calculated and applied;
- Rejected the Tax Bills currently before the National Assembly, saying it excluded the voices of Nigerian workers, insisting that workers must have a seat at the table during the formulation of tax policies that will directly affect them;
- Called for the immediate implementation of an agreed reduction in telecommunications tariffs from 50% to 35%, a promise yet to be realized;
- Expressed frustration with the continued prioritisation of corporate profits over the survival of the ordinary Nigerian.
- Called for reforms that would shift focus toward the people.
- Essential services such as energy, infrastructure, and public utilities, must be people-oriented to serve public interest rather than private gains.
It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants.
Accordingly, they reiterated their longstanding demand for a comprehensive review, with the ultimate aim of a reversal of the Electricity Sector Privatisation, insisting that it has failed to improve service delivery while deepening economic hardship for consumers.
On governance, NLC insisted on democratic accountability, transparency, and urgent electoral reforms, and condemned the sustained suppression of civic space and dissent.
It called on both the federal and state governments to stop actions that erode citizens’ rights and instead work to strengthen democratic norms.
On security, they called for an immediate end to the widespread killings and bloodshed across the country, labelling the violence as genocidal and intolerable.
They expressed deep concern over the safety of Nigerian workers, both within their workplaces and in the general environment, urging the government to prioritise the protection of lives.
