The governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has authorised a monetary incentive for all civil servants in the State, including local government workers, equal to the monthly PAYE due.
The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru issued on Monday.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented minimum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.
“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers”, the commissioner added.
Recall that the organised labour in the state, comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress last week complained of high taxes deducted from the worker’s salary following the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage approved for workers in the state.
The State Administrative Committee of the organised Labour in a statement jointly signed by the NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Olayinka; TUC Chairman, Comrade Olayinka Onikijipa; Coalition of Health Workers Union, Comrade Isaac Bolatito; and state Chairman and Secretary, Joint Negotiation Council, Comrade Saliu Suleiman and Comrade Tunde Joseph respectively said that the implementation of the minimum wage by the government was at variance with what was agreed during the negotiation with the workers.
“Arising from the Joint SAC of NLC and TUC, we strongly condemned the recent tax imposed on Kwara State workers and demand a reversal of it to avoid industrial disharmony.
“The Joint State Administrative Council 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 to avert industrial disharmony”, the labour leaders said.
The Kwara State administration was asked by organised labour to immediately rescind the new tax system imposed on workers and to include pensioners in the state in the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage for least-paid employees in the public service in the state.
However, the Finance Commissioner in the statement advised, “Workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.”
The statement added, “Labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.
“Governor Abdulrazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of the Kwara workforce”, Nuru stated.
