The organised labour movement has renewed its call on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the newly signed tax laws, warning that failure to do so could trigger a nationwide confrontation with workers.
Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the tax reform process and the resulting laws excluded Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors, despite being the country’s major taxpayers.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the launch of a memoir in honour of a former NLC President, Hassan Summonu, to mark his 85th birthday.
His remarks came amid mounting opposition to the tax reform laws signed by President Bola Tinubu, with critics warning that the measures could deepen economic hardship and fuel social unrest.
Ajaero described the new tax regime as regressive and anti-poor, insisting that it places additional financial pressure on low-income earners, including workers on the national minimum wage.
According to him, labour was deliberately excluded from the Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms, a move he said signalled that workers and the poor were the primary targets of the policy.
“The tax laws went through a process that clearly excluded Nigerian workers and masses who are the major taxpayers in Nigeria,” Ajaero said.
“From the Presidential Committee on Tax, which Nigerian workers were deliberately excluded from, we knew that workers and the masses were going to be on the menu. We raised the alarm, warned of the dangers during the legislative process, but no one listened.
“Today, the outcome is clear: laws with serious alterations directed at making workers and the poor poorer. A tax law that imposes heavy burdens on workers and the poor is not progressive.”
He faulted provisions that subject the national minimum wage to taxation, describing such measures as unfair and insensitive in the face of widespread poverty.
“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 urged the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the laws and review them through inclusive engagement with key stakeholders, warning that pressing ahead could erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
“Insisting on going ahead is like muddling along in confusion and darkness. It undermines tax administration and poses a serious threat to our democracy,” Ajaero said.
He accused the government of bypassing stakeholders, distorting legislative intent and ruling by force, warning that such actions could endanger national stability.
Ajaero also called on the government to urgently constitute the board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and to engage labour more meaningfully on policies affecting workers.
He further pressed for urgent action on workers’ wages ahead of the next statutory negotiations on the national minimum wage.
“Let the government move from agonising the people to organising with them,” he said.
“We will continue to organise, challenge power and fight for a Nigeria where no worker has to agonise over poverty, insecurity and heavy taxation.”
