Tax Laws Unfair to Workers — NLC President, Ajaero
By Hajara Abdullahi
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has expressed concern over recent tax laws, describing them as aggressive and inhumane toward Nigerian workers struggling to survive.
Ajaero made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the memoir of former NLC President, Hassan Summonu, in celebration of his 85th birthday.
The NLC President lamented that the tax laws need urgent review to protect workers, noting that those who bear the tax burden, workers and the masses are not being considered.
“From the Presidential Committee on Tax, which Nigerian workers were deliberately excluded from, we knew that the workers and the masses were going to be on the menu. 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 have become the outcome,” he said.
Ajaero added that taxing those earning the national minimum wage was neither fair nor progressive.
“Tax that taxes the national minimum wage is not fair. Tax that taxes the masses who are living in excruciating poverty is regressive,” he stated.
The labour leader called on the Federal Government to reconsider the legislation, stressing that its continued implementation demonstrates disregard for citizens and undermines trust in governance.
“Insisting on going ahead is akin to 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 tax administration itself and, indeed, our democracy,” he warned.
Ajaero further urged the government to engage labour unions in discussions on policies that directly impact workers, including the urgent constitution of the PENCOM Board.
“Let the government move from agonising the people to organising with them. Let us build a democracy that delivers not just political freedom but economic liberation where the nation’s wealth serves the welfare of its people,” he said.
The NLC President reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for workers’ welfare, stating, “We will continue to challenge power. We will continue to fight for a Nigeria where no worker has to agonise over poverty, insecurity, heavy taxation, or a stolen future riddled with national debt.”
