The Nigerian government announces a bonus for civil servants, aiming to offset economic challenges as tax-related debates continue.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has authorized a special financial bonus for civil servants that matches their monthly Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax liabilities.
This emergency aid initiative, designed to ease financial burdens, will support all state and local government employees for a minimum of three months.
Dr. Hauwa Nuru, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, made the announcement in a statement released on Monday.
“The bonus has been approved as a cushion to offset the impact of the accurate PAYE deduction on the newly implemented minimum wage. It is intended to ease workers’ transition with the correctly applied PAYE, in accordance with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she stated.
“The bonus payments will commence in October and continue through December 2024. This move by His Excellency represents an important effort to support workers,” the commissioner stated.
Remember that last week the organized labor groups in the state, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, raised concerns about excessive tax deductions from workers’ salaries after implementing a new minimum wage of N70,000 for state employees.
The State Administrative Committee of organized Labour, in a statement signed by NLC Chairman Comrade Muritala Olayinka; TUC Chairman Comrade Olayinka Onikijipa; Coalition of Health Workers Union’s Comrade Isaac Bolatito; and Joint Negotiation Council state Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Saliu Suleiman and Tunde Joseph respectively, expressed that the government’s implementation of the minimum wage differs from what was agreed upon during negotiations with workers.
Following the Joint SAC of NLC and TUC, we strongly denounce the recent tax imposed on Kwara State workers and demand its reversal to prevent industrial unrest.
The Joint State Administrative Council of NLC-TUC expressed serious concern over the lack of implementation for the 2024 minimum wage increase to N70,000 for pensioners in the state.
According to the labor leaders, the SAC of NLC-TUC called on the state government to address pensioners’ issues in order to prevent industrial unrest.
The organized labor urged the Kwara State Government to promptly revoke the new tax policy imposed on workers. They also called for pensioners in the state to be included in receiving the new minimum wage of N70,000 for entry-level public service employees.
In the statement, the Finance Commissioner advised that workers should register with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency as soon as possible; otherwise, they will not be eligible for the bonus in November and December.
The statement further mentioned, “Labor unions have also consented to refund the special levy that was deducted from workers’ salaries and to halt such deductions until further notice.”
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s order to provide this relief demonstrates his compassion and dedication to the well-being of Kwara’s workforce,” Nuru remarked.
Peoplesmind
