NLC to Tinubu: Nigerians need food, healthcare, housing, security not tax reform bills

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to withdraw the tax bills before the National Assembly.

On October 2024, President Bola Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.

The proposed laws include the Nigeria tax bill, the Nigeria tax administration bill, the Nigeria revenue service establishment bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.

In his New Year message to Nigerians, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said the country can only be delivered from economic hardship through collective effort and determination.

The NLC president called on government at all levels to ensure that governance translates to real benefits for the people.

He said policies must reflect transparency, honesty, and inclusivity, devoid of chicanery, nepotism, and strong-arm tactics.

“The welfare of the citizens remains the primary justification for the existence of any government,” the statement reads.

“Access to food and Nutrition, better healthcare, Quality Housing, Education, Transportation and greater Security of lives and properties including the right to participate in decisions on how they are ruled are the key expectations of the people and workers.

“To create a thriving, democratic nation, we need a system built on the tenets of social dialogue, allowing critical stakeholders to participate actively in nation-building.

“Such inclusiveness will foster deeper ownership of government policies, ensuring stability and sustainability.

“It is on this premise that we once again call on the federal government to withdraw its present Tax Bill before the National Assembly so that all key national stakeholders will be part of the process.

“As we embark on a National Dialogue in Ibadan in January, 2025, we want to join hands in co-creating a new national Tax law that would enjoy wider acceptance and would fulfill its purpose of propelling national development which we believe is the main objective of government.

“As we move into 2025, we urge the Federal Government to prioritize industrial peace by taking social dialogue seriously, pursuing pro-human-progress policies, and respecting agreements with trade unions.”

The NLC president added that governments at all levels must comply with the provisions of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act from the very beginning of the year.

“Furthermore, given the economic realities imposed by recent government policies, we shall engage the government for a wage review to safeguard workers’ welfare,” Ajaero said.

“Our nation will become more productive when the incomes of workers are able to meet at least their basic needs thus commit more to their work. In this we believe, there ought to be unanimity between us and governments at various levels.

“We look forward to fruitful engagement on this with our social partners as we move into 2025.”

Some northern stakeholders have also vehemently opposed the tax bills, describing them as anti-north and pro-south.