Federal Workers In Edo Protest Against Tax Regime

Federal Civil Servants workers in Edo State have kicked against the tax regime of the State Government, which seeks to implement the tax law promulgated by the military regime in 1993.

The workers, at a rally at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin on Friday, alleged that Edo government now compels workers to pay between 20 to 25 per cent of their salaries as tax.

The Chairman, UBTH Joint Action Committee, Mr Jacob Egharevba, who addressed the aggrieved workers, said the 1993 Tax Decree and the Tax Act of 2004, are certainly not in consonance with the economic realities of today.

“We consider it illegal for any board of internal revenue to apply the dictates of 1993 tax decree to salary grade levels of HATISS, HAPSS and CONTISS.

“Allowances which were not taxable before have now been merged with basic salary, to form consolidated salary now being taxed.’’

Egharevba said that efforts made to resolve the issue with the Edo Board of Internal Revenue had failed.

He said the status quo ante should remain until the board dialogues with federal establishments.

He said any federal establishment whose management acts to the contrary, should proceed on strike immediately.