NLC Calls on Government to Reassess Wage Levels and Tax Policies

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently review workers’ wages and reassess tax policies, warning that delays and uneven compliance could worsen economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.

The call was made on Wednesday by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, at the 85th birthday celebration and book launch of the union’s founding president, Hassan Summonu, OON, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Auditorium in Abuja.

Addressing an audience that included family members, government representatives and other stakeholders, Ajaero described Summonu as a towering figure in Nigeria’s labour movement whose legacy continues to inspire generations of workers. He said the theme of Summonu’s memoir, Organise, Don’t Agonise, remains a guiding principle for organised labour.

According to Ajaero, the book’s message reflects the belief that collective organisation is the most effective response to exploitation and poor governance. He recalled the inauguration of the Hassan Summonu Centre for Leadership and Governance in Lagos last year, noting that it symbolised labour’s commitment to preserving the founding president’s ideals and the broader struggle of the Nigerian working class.

Ajaero also raised concerns over the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage, which was signed into law in July 2024 and increased the minimum monthly pay from N30,000 to N70,000. He said compliance has been inconsistent, with many state governments, private employers and public institutions citing financial pressures and inflation as reasons for delay.

He stressed that despite the law being clear, many workers are still paid below the approved minimum. He therefore called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently, ahead of the next statutory wage negotiations, warning that continued delays threaten workers’ welfare amid rising living costs. He added that the NLC is monitoring violations and is prepared to pursue enforcement measures and legal action where necessary.

The NLC president also criticised recent tax policies, describing them as regressive and disproportionately harmful to workers and low-income earners. He argued that the reforms were developed without meaningful input from organised labour and the wider public, despite workers constituting a large portion of the tax base.

In addition, Ajaero called for the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Board, warning that prolonged delays weaken governance structures and undermine the rule of law. He urged the government to engage more constructively with organised labour in policy formulation, stressing that decisions on wages, taxation, fuel pricing and social services must reflect the realities faced by workers.

The event also celebrated Hassan Summonu’s enduring contributions to labour activism, with speakers highlighting the lasting influence of his philosophy on today’s union leadership. Ajaero concluded by reaffirming labour’s commitment to collective action and advocacy, calling for a governance approach that prioritises economic justice and improved living standards for Nigerian workers.