The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole has charged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage the federal government on the new tax laws that took effect last week.
Oshiomhole told Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, to fight for workers if he believes there are provisions in the laws that are against Nigerian workers.
The former President of the NLC noted that lamenting about the tax laws will not stop it from taking off.
Oshiomhole spoke during the book launch and 85th birthday celebration of an ex-president of the NLC, Hassan Sunmonu on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event was chaired by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The book title: “Organise, Don’t Agonise” was reviewed by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
The former governor of Edo State said, “I listened to Ajaero and he was agonising that minimum wage workers are asked to pay tax. Do you think if you cry from here till tomorrow it will stop? The lesson of Sunmonu is: if it is wrong fight it. If you know it (the tax laws) is wrong fight it. Do not lament it.
“On the floor of the senate I always say I didn’t come to Abuja to lament imperfection. And I believe so. Because what the people needs is not our tears, it is not our emotional statements. Those who do bad things don’t do it out of ignorance and those who enjoy a particular order will not give up. You have to fight them to give up.
“The minimum wage is exempted from tax. So when you (Ajaero) say minimum wage is being taxed they will see that as a loophole and say he doesn’t know what he is talking about.
“The tax laws are subject to amendment the same way you negotiated a benchmark for the minimum wage.”
Speaking earlier, Ajaero lamented the exclusion of organised labour from the processes that led to the new tax laws.
Ajaero said, “There is an urgent need for deeper, more sincere, and structured engagement with the trade union movement at all levels. Policies; from fuel pricing to taxation, from wage to social services; must be crafted with the active, respected input of those who represent the workers and the broader masses. To sideline the organised voice of labour is to design policies on shaky, exclusionary foundations, destined to generate crisis and agony as is being witnessed currently.
“A poignant example of the failure to engage and obey the law is the ongoing travesty with the new Tax Laws . The Tax Laws went through a process that clearly excluded Nigerian workers and masses who are the major tax payers in Nigeria. From the Presidential Committee on Tax which Nigerian workers were deliberately excluded, we knew that the workers and masses were going to be on the menu (“eaten”); we said so and alerted the nation, then the Legislative processes; we warned of the dangers but no one listened.
“Today, the result is clear; Laws with serious alterations directed at making workers and the poor poorer ha s become the outcome. Tax Law that imposes heavy burden on workers and the poor is not progressive. Tax that taxes the national minimum wage is not fair. Tax that taxes the masses who are living in excruciating poverty is regressive. That was why we were excluded from the Committee and that was why our warnings went unheeded. We do not see anything wrong in pausing along this negative path, rethink, and, redirect.”
The NLC president urged the government to fully constitute the National Pension Commission (PenCom) Board.
He also urged the government to address immediately the concerns of Nigerians concerning the tax law instead of the “present grandstanding by Mr. Oyedele and Zacch.”
Ajaero said, “Insisting on going ahead is akin the muddling along in confusion and darkness since we do not know which one is truly the Law. Continuing with this is a dangerous pattern that seriously undermines the tax administration itself and indeed our democracy.
“We advise this government; your legacy must be in crafting foundational and credible laws that strengthen institutions, not undermining them. When you bypass key stakeholders, distort acts of parliament, and rule by strong arm, you make a mockery of our democracy. You negate public trust and threaten national stability.
“True democracy is not just about elections; it is about the rule of law, institutional integrity, and governance that serves the many, not the few.
“Let this celebration of a life spent organising inspire a new chapter. Let the government move from agonising the people to organising with them. Let us build a democracy that delivers not just political freedom but economic liberation ; where the wealth of the nation serves the welfare of its people. It is on this note that we once again call on the federal government to urgently address the wages of Nigerian workers before next year’s statutory negotiation of the national minimum wage.”
Ajaero added, “Comrade Sunmonu, as we launch your book today, we pledge to keep its central message alive. We will continue to organise. We will continue to challenge power. We will continue to fight for a Nigeria where no worker has to agonise over poverty, insecurity, heavy Taxation or a stolen future riddled with national debt.
“To our guests, thank you for joining us. Let us celebrate our hero, draw lessons from his life, and recommit to the struggle. Join us in organising our nation and our people so that together, w e can build a nation that caters for the majority.”
The author of the book, Sunmonu urged trade union leaders to be upright in their dealings.
Sunmonu said, “Leaders, you are warned. You have the choice to stay clean and abide by the grace of God or join them (politicians) to do the wrong thing, disgrace themselves and incure the wrath of God.
“Let us stay the cause in the interest of the future of our children and grant children. The faith Nigerian workers have in us is a sacred trust that we should not betrayed. If we betray it here and thereafter, the judgements are there. Let us stay the cause.”
Obasanjo commended the role of the author in the struggle for workers’ right in the country.
He recounted how his administration reformed the labour movement in the country.
Obasanjo also commended Sunmonu for taking the labour movement beyond Nigeria and to the world.
“Hassan was the one that took labour beyond the Nigerian border. He took it to Africa, he made it continental and by making it continental, he made it global.”
Obasanjo added: “When I came on the scene, I needed a Nigerian labour union organised by Nigeria, controlled by Nigeria and financed by Nigeria.
So I decided there was going to be a labour union reform and I think the man I put in charge was Justice Adebiyi and Hassan was one of those who was in the forefront to ask what I know about labour that I was asking for reforms.
“I took it that I didn’t know anything about labour but I knew that I wanted a Nigerian Labour Organisation that was headed by a Nigerian and funded by Nigeria. When Justice Adebiyi finished its job, we reformed labour and passed the law establishing the NLC. And Hassan became the first leader they elected.
“I don’t know how Hassan felt at that time but I felt comfortable because I had had a short spell in the ministry of works where Hassan was working. So I had known him in the ministry of work.”
Obasanjo added: “When Hassan became the leader of the trade union, I needed him and he needed me. If Hassan was seen too close to me he would be seen as a sell out and he would not enjoy the confidence of the union members.
“I said to Hassan: ‘I need you and you need me and we have to succeed together. When I call you and we hold meetings, if it is necessary, after we have held our meetings, you go out and abuse me. Because if you do not go out and abuse me you will be seen as a being friendly with me which will not allow you to do the work that I want you to do.’
“There was relative peace during that period. He managed his own side and I managed my own side and the labour union started growing from strength to strength.
“We had a compulsory payment of dues which meant that money came into the purse of the union and it was compulsory and that cut out the KGB and CIA from our labour union.”
The event was by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, former Governor of Osun Rauf Aregbesola; human rights lawyer, Femi Falana; Director – General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Issa Aremu; President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Chris Piwuna; ex-NLC president, Ayuba Wabba; among other dignitaries.
