New Tax Laws: NLC Threatens FG

There is a threat on the table of the Federal Government bordering on the new tax laws.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the apex labour body which is handing down the threat, wants the Federal Government to suspend it or be ready to face Nigerian workers’ action.

According to him, both the draft of the tax laws and implementation did not take input from Nigerian workers whether from the public or private sector.

Handing down the warning in Abuja, at an event in honour of a former President of NLC, Hassan Summonu, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the new tax laws placed additional financial burden on Nigerian workers

“The Tax Laws went through a process that clearly excluded Nigerian workers and masses who are the major tax payers in Nigeria.

“From the Presidential Committee on Tax which Nigerian workers were deliberately excluded, we knew that the workers and masses were going to be on the menu (“eaten”); we said so and alerted the nation, then the Legislative processes; we warned of the dangers but no one listened.

“Today, the result is clear; laws with serious alterations directed at making workers and the poor poorer has become the outcome. Tax Law that imposes heavy burden on workers and the poor is not progressive.

“Tax that taxes the national minimum wage is not fair. Tax that taxes the masses who are living in excruciating poverty is regressive.

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“That was why we were excluded from the Committee and that was why our warnings went unheeded. We do not see anything wrong in pausing along this negative path, rethink, and, redirect.”

“Insisting on going ahead is akin the muddling along in confusion and darkness since we do not know which one is truly the Law. Continuing with this is a dangerous pattern that seriously undermines the Tax administration itself and indeed our democracy.

“We advise this government; your legacy must be in crafting foundational and credible Laws that strengthen institutions, not undermining them. When you bypass key stakeholders, distort acts of parliament, and rule by strong arm, you make a mockery of our democracy.

“You negate public trust and threaten national stability. True democracy is not just about elections; it is about the rule of law, institutional integrity, and governance that serves the many, not the few,” the NLC President said.