Nigeria Labour Congress urges dialogue on tax reform bill impact on workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for constructive engagement with the Federal Government concerning the Tax Reform Bill, emphasizing its implications for workers nationwide.

Speaking during the unveiling of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for the union’s Southwest chapters in Ibadan, NLC President Joe Ajaero highlighted the urgency of addressing key concerns in the proposed legislation.

Ajaero stressed the importance of collaboration in refining the bill to safeguard the interests of the workforce while ensuring equitable taxation policies.

“Collaboration with the government is essential to clarify and resolve certain issues outlined in the Bill. For instance, the Bill proposes zero taxation for workers earning below N800,000 annually.

“However, it’s important to note that many in the public service earn above the levels that fall under this threshold.

“If we consider a baseline of N70,000 per month, there are hardly any worker on Level 1, Step 1 who earns this amount. This suggests that virtually all workers in Nigeria could be affected by the proposed tax structure. We need clarity on these matters, and a dialogue is necessary to highlight where the concerns lie,” Ajaero stated.