NLC Rejects FG Proposed VAT Increase

• NLC Rejects FG Proposed VAT Increase

The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected a proposal by the Federal Government to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2019.

The government had proposed to increase tax in order to fund the 2019 budget.

Mr Ayuba Waba, the National President, NLC, disclosed this on Friday in Jalingo at the 12th delegates conference of the Taraba State Chapter of NLC.

According to him, an increase in VAT or PAYE would rob workers of the relief from the recently approved new minimum wage and hurt the economy consumer spending.

He said, “Government should adopt progressive taxation in a manner that captures more people in the tax net and also ensures that the rich and luxury items are properly taxed.”

Waba, whose speech was read by Salisu Abubakar, the national trustee North East of the union, described the conference as imperative as it came at both the heels of Nigeria general elections and the celebration of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) centenary.

The state president of Nigeria Union of Local government Employees Mamud Musa and that of Nigeria Union of Terchers Peter Vau were elected as Treasurer and Auditor 1, respectively.