Suspend Tax Laws Now, Labour Tells FG

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the newly enacted tax laws, warning that failure to do so could trigger a nationwide confrontation with workers.

 

The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, during the launch of a memoir in honour of former NLC President, Hassan Summonu, as part of activities marking his 85th birthday.

 

Comrade Ajaero, who spoke on behalf of organised labour comprising the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the tax laws were drafted and implemented without the input of workers in both the public and private sectors, despite the fact that they constitute the bulk of taxpayers in the country.

 

He described the tax reforms signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as regressive, arguing that they impose additional financial burdens on low-income earners and worsen the hardship already faced by workers and the poor.

 

“The tax laws went through a process that clearly excluded Nigerian workers and the masses who are the major taxpayers in Nigeria,” Ajaero said. “From the Presidential Committee on Tax, where workers were deliberately excluded, to the legislative process, we raised concerns and warned of the dangers, but our warnings were ignored.”

 

According to him, the outcome of the process is a set of laws that make workers and the poor poorer, stressing that any tax regime that places heavy burdens on those earning the national minimum wage cannot be considered fair or progressive.

 

“Tax that taxes the national minimum wage is not fair. Tax that taxes people living in excruciating poverty is regressive,” he added.

 

The labour leader warned that continuing with the implementation of the laws without addressing these concerns could undermine public trust, weaken democratic institutions, and threaten national stability.

 

“Insisting on going ahead is akin to muddling along in confusion and darkness,” he said. “When you bypass key stakeholders, distort acts of parliament, and rule by strong arm, you make a mockery of our democracy.”

 

Ajaero advised the federal government to pause the implementation of the laws, review them, and redirect its approach to ensure that tax policies strengthen institutions rather than undermine them.

 

He also urged the government to fully constitute the board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and engage labour unions more meaningfully on policies that directly affect workers.

 

In addition, the NLC president reiterated labour’s demand for the government to address workers’ wages ahead of the next statutory negotiations on the national minimum wage.

 

“As we celebrate a life devoted to organising workers, let this moment inspire the government to move from agonising the people to organising with them,” Ajaero said.

 

“We will continue to organise, challenge power, and fight for a Nigeria where no worker has to agonise over poverty, insecurity, heavy taxation, or a stolen future burdened by debt.”