Channels TV reports that the organised labour in Kwara State has urged the state government to promptly roll back the recent tax increase on public service workers, which followed the implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for the lowest-paid employees.

Labour representatives expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to increase the tax percentage on workers’ salaries, a move they say contradicts prior negotiations that included a commitment to tax relief for workers with the new wage adjustments.

Following a joint meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) State Administrative Council (SAC) held in Ilorin on Thursday, labour leaders issued a joint statement pressing for an immediate reduction in the tax percentage on public sector salaries.

A statement made available on Friday was signed jointly by the NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Olayinka; TUC Chairman, Comrade Olayinka Onikijipa;, Coalition of Health Workers Union (COHESU), Comrade Isaac Bolatito; and state Chairman and Secretary, Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Comrade Saliu Suleiman and Comrade Tunde Joseph respectively.

The organised labour lamented the refusal of the state government to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000 for pensioners in the state.

It urged the state government to grant tax holidays to workers on the consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for 12 months to serve as succour for them.

The Joint Labour Congress asked the state government to swiftly act on the demand of labour to avert industrial disharmony.

“The SAC of Joint Labour Centres met today to review the outcome of the new minimum wage payment to Kwara workers as approved by His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The committee observed with dismay the notorious percentage tax deducted from our members.

“This was at variance with government/labour discussion at the negotiation table for tax relief on the added sum or status quo ante on the percentage tax deduction.

“In view of the above, the committee resolved that government should grant tax holiday to Kwara State workers on the added sum for at least 12 months to serve as succour for workers in the state, and to review downward the tax percentage on workers’ salary.

“Arising from the Joint SAC of NLC and TUC, we strongly condemned the recent tax imposed on Kwara State workers and demand reversal of it to avoid industrial disharmony.

“The Joint State Administrative Council (SAC) of NLC-TUC observed with deep concern the non-implementation of the 2024 N70,000 minimum wage for pensioners in the state.

“The SAC of NLC-TUC urged the state government to address the plight of pensioners in order to avert industrial disharmony”, the labour leaders said.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulazaq had penultimate Saturday approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage for the least paid worker in the state, as announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru in a statement said that the approved wage will be implemented across the Kwara State public service, with immediate effect from October 2024.

“This decision, which includes consequential adjustments to the relevant salary structures, was made after a successful tripartite meeting between government representatives, the leadership of the Organised Labour in Kwara State, — Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) — and representatives from the organized private sector.”, the Commissioner said.