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By Chukwuma Umeorah
As Nigerian workers joined the rest of the world to celebrate May Day, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the recently announced astronomical increase in excise duty and the introduction of new taxes and levies across board.
Director-general of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, in a statement, noted that the increases, if implemented, would be counter-productive as they would aggravate the rate of unemployment, encourage smuggling, discourage foreign direct investment (FDI), reduce the purchasing power of Nigerians and actively promote the relocation of businesses to other countries, which it described as “Corporate-Japa”.
According to him, “Organized businesses in Nigeria are bleeding and continue to struggle for survival.”
Oyerinde added that, with the multi-dimensional challenges faced by organized businesses, increase in taxes would further worsen the damning effects on businesses and the quality of life of Nigerians.
He stressed that, “The Federal Government should not leave behind a legacy of tax burdens that would endanger the fragile growth achieved in the economy on the altar of revenue generation. What the government should do is to reappraise its adherence to the principles and spirits of fiscal discipline as enshrined in various legislations. With over 60 different taxes, levies and taxes, Nigeria is fast becoming a pariah state to investors.
While in the spirit of MAY DAY celebration, Oyerinde also urged the need to continue to protect workers’ rights as well as human and Enterprise rights. “Worker’s rights encompasses a range of issues, including living wages, decent work, access to medical care, safety and health at work, bridging gender gaps, and freedom from discrimination among many others.”
He noted that, “These rights thrive in an environment that promotes socio-economic justice. All these are in the different International Labour Organizations (ILO) fundamental instruments, which Nigeria is a signatory to.
“The International Workers Day is a time of deep reflections on where we were years ago, where we are today and where we hope to be few years from now. This will give us a clear scorecard of the state of our collective struggle to build a model nation where rights are protected, including the rights of Enterprises, wealth is created, and equitably distributed and social and economic justice guaranteed”
Likewise, he urged Organized Labour and all stakeholders that no effort should be spared in promoting and defending Institutions that have been created to advance industrial harmony and social dialogue. This is even as he stressed that for wealth to be created and equitably distributed, there must be a hospitable, peaceful and productive environment.
“While there will always be misalignment of interests and perspectives, we must continue to deepen our engagement through social dialogue with the view of leaving a long-lasting legacy of productivity, equitable distribution of wealth and social justice for generations unborn,” he said.
