As Yuletide season sets in, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the Federal Government to crackdown immediately on those responsible for creating a cash scarcity across the country. NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made this call yesterday in a communique he jointly signed with Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of NLC in Abuja.
The communique was issued at the end of the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Owerri, Imo state.
According to Ajaero, the NEC in-session had expressed concern over the unabated cash crunch in Nigeria, describing the incident as an unfortunate and exploitative burden on the already struggling populace especially now that people need cash for some transaction.
He said NEC noted that Nigerians are being forced to forfeit five per cent of their funds each time they demand cash from the outlets, an unacceptable situation that exacerbates the economic woes faced by millions.
“The impact of this on small businesses and other informal economy operatives is huge as the situation poses serious disproportionate challenge to the poor and struggling workers and masses.
“The NLC demands immediate government intervention to rectify this systemic failure and protect citizens’ financial rights.
“We expect the Central Bank Governor to take steps to ensure that cash is made available to the citizenry to enable small business transactions and stimulate Economic growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NLC boss also demanded that the controversial tax bill currently been debated before the National Assembly should be given more time for broader consultation and meaningful engagement with Nigerian workers before it should be passed.
Ajaero expressed worry that politicisation of the bill and alienation of key stakeholders in debating the bill has robbed it of its capacity as an effective tool to revamp the economy.
