The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of taking extreme measures that burden Nigerian workers, warning that, if possible, even the air they breathe could be taxed.

Benson Upah, Head of Information of the NLC, made the statement on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television, criticizing the new tax system recently introduced by the Federal Government.

“First and foremost, consultative engagement is essential for good governance. Without it, disagreements are inevitable. In this case, we were not consulted before these tax laws were enacted, despite being the largest taxpayer group in the country.

“We made our input known when the committee was being constituted, but we were ignored. Since the law came into effect, no initiative has been taken to educate our members or enlighten the public about its provisions.

“While the government claims there are benefits, such as exempting those earning below one million naira from taxation, in reality, given the current national minimum wage, no formal sector worker falls below that threshold.

“Previously, worker allowances were not taxed, but now they are, in addition to other new tax obligations. The only thing workers might still be exempt from is the oxygen they breathe and the carbon dioxide they exhale.

“There is a need for better communication channels with the government. When taxes are reasonable and collection is efficient, more citizens are likely to comply,” Upah added.