NLC Raises Alarm Over New Tax Laws, Says Workers Were Not Consulted, Urges FG to Halt Implementation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of recently enacted tax laws, insisting that Nigerian workers—who form the largest tax-paying segment of the population—were excluded from the entire process that produced the legislation. The union argues that without proper consultation and public enlightenment, the new tax regime risks widespread resistance and social tension.

Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, the NLC’s spokesperson, Benson Upah, expressed deep concern over what he described as the government’s failure to engage organised labour during the formulation, passage, and signing of the tax laws. According to him, the exclusion of workers from such a critical policy discussion has created mistrust and confusion, not only among union members but across the wider Nigerian population.

Upah noted that organised labour had formally written to the government when the tax reform committee was first constituted, requesting representation. However, he said the request was deliberately ignored. Despite workers being the most consistent contributors to government revenue through Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions, the NLC said it was sidelined throughout the deliberations that shaped the final laws.

“We were not consulted before these tax laws were put in place, and yet we are the biggest tax-paying community in the country,” Upah stated. He added that since the laws came into effect, there has been no serious public awareness or enlightenment campaign to educate workers on what has changed, how it affects their income, or what protections are in place.

The NLC spokesperson stressed that the union is not rejecting dialogue, but rather demanding it. He argued that policies of this magnitude require broad-based engagement, especially in a country already grappling with high inflation, rising cost of living, and declining purchasing power. According to him, introducing new tax measures without proper explanation or buy-in from workers is a recipe for unrest.

Upah further challenged the government’s claim that individuals earning below ₦1 million annually are exempt from the new tax provisions. He pointed out that, given Nigeria’s current minimum wage structure and the realities of the formal sector, very few workers actually fall below that threshold. This, he said, raises questions about the sincerity and practical impact of the exemptions being advertised by the government.

He warned that laws imposed without consent or understanding often provoke resistance. “That which we do not subscribe to will meet a form of resistance from us—not just from organised labour, but from Nigerians generally,” he said, adding that labour unions have established mechanisms for expressing dissatisfaction if the government fails to act responsibly.

Public reaction to the NLC’s position has been mixed. While some Nigerians have criticised the labour movement, accusing it of being reactive or unserious, others have rallied behind the union, arguing that taxation without transparency and accountability is unjust. Many commentators questioned how government officials could demand higher taxes from citizens while allegations of wasteful spending and lack of fiscal discipline persist among political office holders.

Some voices have called for mass protests or legal action if the government refuses to suspend the implementation of the tax laws. Others believe the NLC should present clearer alternatives and proposals rather than limiting its response to public statements. Still, there is a shared sentiment among many Nigerians that taxation must be tied to visible public benefits, accountability, and trust.

For the NLC, the immediate demand is clear: suspend the implementation of the new tax laws and embark on a comprehensive enlightenment campaign that involves workers, unions, and the general public. The union insists that meaningful engagement and transparency are essential to avoiding social unrest and ensuring that any tax reform is fair, inclusive, and sustainable.

As economic pressures continue to mount, the standoff between organised labour and the Federal Government highlights a deeper issue—one of governance, trust, and participation. Whether the government chooses dialogue or defiance may determine not only the fate of the tax laws but also the stability of labour relations in the months ahead.