NLC faults new tax laws, says they hurt workers, poor Nigerians

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised the federal government’s new tax laws, describing them as unfair and harmful to workers and low-income Nigerians.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks 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.

Ajaero said the tax laws were introduced without adequate consultation with workers in both the public and private sectors, despite the fact that they constitute the largest group of taxpayers in the country.

He described the policies as regressive, noting that they place additional burdens on Nigerians who are already struggling to survive.

“Workers were shut out of the entire tax reform process, from the Presidential committee to the National Assembly. Despite our warnings, no one paid attention, and the outcome is policies that make life harder for workers and low-income Nigerians,” he said.

The NLC president argued that imposing taxes on people living in extreme poverty could not be justified.

“Any tax law that taxes people living in extreme poverty is unjust and cannot be described as fair or progressive,” Ajaero added.

He called on the federal government to immediately suspend the implementation of the tax laws to allow for a comprehensive review.

According to him, credible tax policies should strengthen institutions and reduce the burden on citizens, rather than deepen economic hardship.

Ajaero also warned that organised labour might be compelled to confront the government if its concerns were ignored.