Organised labour is pushing back against the Federal Government’s new tax laws, warning that the policies are already worsening economic hardship and could spark serious unrest among Nigerian workers if not suspended immediately.
The warning was issued in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of a memoir in honor of former NLC president Hassan Summonu. Speaking at the event, current NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the government of drafting and rolling out the tax laws without any consultation with workers in either the public or private sector, despite the fact that they are directly affected.
Ajaero described the new tax measures as regressive and unfair. According to him, the laws increase financial pressure on low income earners and even target those on the national minimum wage. He argued that a tax system that punishes the poorest cannot be considered fair or progressive.
He also warned that ignoring workers’ concerns could damage public trust in government, undermine democracy and pose a threat to national stability. In his words, “These laws were made without workers and without the masses. Now we are seeing the outcome: policies that make workers and the poor even poorer.”
Ajaero urged the government to halt implementation of the new taxes, review the policies with proper labour input, and fully constitute the board of PENCOM. He also pressed for serious engagement with labour unions on issues affecting workers, especially as the country prepares for next year’s national minimum wage negotiations.
He stressed that good governance must take economic welfare into account, adding that democracy goes beyond elections. “Real democracy is about the rule of law, strong institutions and governance that serves the many, not the privileged few,” he said.
