The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Nigerians to totally reject any tax law it described as “distorted or falsified,” warning that poorly crafted fiscal policies could deepen hardship for workers and the general population.
The NLC said laws that directly affect workers and citizens must be inclusive, transparent and carefully formulated to avoid serious errors or political manipulation that could harm the majority.
In a statement titled “Our hope lies in collective action,” NLC President, Joe Ajaero, explained the need for unity among workers in defending their wages, pensions, dignity and overall welfare. He insisted that taxation and other economic policies must be anchored on social and tax justice.
According to Ajaero, it is preferable to patiently develop laws that are broadly co-created and owned by the people rather than rushing into legislation “filled with serious errors and outright political manipulations.”
He said Nigerians must insist on a society where all citizens have access to quality healthcare, education and security, while workers’ rights are respected and labour is fairly rewarded.
The NLC president further emphasized that the strength of workers lies in unity and collective action. He urged Nigerians to resist policies that inflict suffering and exploit the population, cautioning against divisions along ethnic, religious or regional lines.
Ajaero called on workers to begin mobilising from their local communities to build a stronger, more organised movement capable of influencing national decisions and shaping the country’s future.
“Our hope of a revival is not passive and it is not a mere wish. It is built on a concrete foundation: our collective power and the action that it can potentiate,” he said.
Reflecting on the Christmas season, the NLC extended fraternal greetings to Nigerian workers and the masses, describing the period as one rooted in hope, love and the promise of renewal amid prevailing economic hardship.
The labour body acknowledged that life has become increasingly difficult for millions of Nigerians due to economic challenges and policies that have intensified suffering.
However, it said the season’s message of hope serves as a reminder that hardship can give way to renewal through collective resolve.
The NLC reaffirmed that workers, including farmers, traders, teachers, nurses and artisans, remain the backbone of the nation, adding that their ability to unite, organise and act collectively is key to national recovery.
The statement urged Nigerians to become the “light” that confronts oppression, insisting that only unity and solidarity can build a truly egalitarian nation that serves the majority rather than a privileged few.
