Tribune
A dispute between the management of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and its workers, represented by Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) over welfare, alleged illegal recruitment and the sudden introduction of technology has led to an open confrontation leading to the proscription of the union and opening of cans of worms.
At a congress, members of NCSU, FIRS Unit, demanded a phased implementation of TaxPro-Max; payment of general performance bonus for the year 2020; disclosure of the status of the first quarter 2020 performance bonus and mandatory insurance intervention to staff members; release of modalities for payment of 2019 and 2020 promotion arrears; payment of one per cent each of consolidated annual salary of meal subsidy allowance, children education grant and furniture allowance; and release of a blue print for the conduct of 2021 promotion exercise.
They also demanded immediate stoppage of re-engagement of retired directors and other categories of staff; secret recruitment of about 2000 staff within a record period of 18 months. They complained about breach of statutory provisions in the recall and appointment of retired Mr Mathew Gbonjubola and Faozat Ogunniyi as Coordinating Directors; and demanded a display of 2021 revenue collection target for ease of monitoring, re-evaluation and transparency in the determination of status of achievement of performance.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, staff alleged that board members awarded palliatives to themselves with the Chairman collecting N2 million while others got N1 million each. The board secretary was also said to have received N750,000. The FIRS chapter of Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) then demanded that the generosity be extended to staff, but were told that there was no provision for them in the budget.
In the preamble to a congress held on June 17, 2021, NCSU noted “Federal Inland Revenue Service as a Tax Authority in Nigeria has been facing a myriad of problems recently. These problems are much more pronounced and imparted on the collection target which has been dwindling. The Nigeria Civil Service Union as a stakeholder in FIRS has been in the vanguard of proffering solutions to these problems facing the Service. The Union plays a vital role between the Management and staff. It is in her attempt to discharge its duty that Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) called for a Congress of all staff members (NCSU) of the service on 17th June 2021.
According to documents, NCSU then wrote the management asking for a meeting to discuss congress resolutions but was ignored. A reminder was also ignored. Finally, on June 21, 2021, the union issued a 21-day ultimatum effective from Tuesday, June 22, 2021 and will expire on Monday, July 12, 2021 in the first instance” for Nami to resolve all issues raised “in line with extant labour provisions after which “the union will not hesitate to explore all legitimate provisions under extant labour framework thereafter if it becomes absolutely necessary.” Close to the expiration of the ultimatum, FIRS announced dissolution of the union. A statement by the director of Communication and Liaison, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, explained that the exco of NCSU, FIRS Unit “was purportedly made up of senior staff of FIRS” citing Gazette No. 6 Vol 65 dated 8th February, 1978 and National Industrial Court Judgement dated June 27, 1995. It described NCSU FIRS Unit as illegal as there were no longer any junior staff cadre employees in the service.
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