Tertiary institution workers condemn Fayose’s tax regime, threaten strike

The amalgamation of the workers of various higher institutions in Ekiti State have condemned the 100 percent tax deduction being implemented by the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose, calling for immediate reversal to forestall industrial action in the state.

At a press conference in the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti on Friday, the union leaders of all tertiary institutions domiciled in the state, described the policy as ‘burdensome, oppressive, obnoxious and draconian’, while also constituting serious impediment to the well being of their members.

The workers were drawn from The Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, The Crown Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and College of Science and Health Technology, Ijero Ekiti.

A communiqué signed by 22 members Joint Action Committee (JCA) of the unions of tertiary institutions in the state, read by the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, EKSU chapter, Prof Olu Olu, described the 100 percent deduction as totally unacceptable.

The workers recommended the creation of a standing committee, comprising government’s and unions’ representatives, as well as heads of tertiary institutions, to discuss modality for possible reduction and ensure uniformity across board. They frowned on Fayose’s intention to start implementing now that many of their members have been having problems with the payment of their salaries, saying the tax must be negotiated downward to prevent their workers from experiencing more hardships and complications under this already suffocating economy.

The workers agitated for uniform tax rate for all the institutions contrary to variations being experienced as of now. “A meeting of April 14, 2016 between the state government and heads of the tertiary institutions and the unions discussed the issue of tax deduction vis-a-viz the existing disparity and the need to renegotiate and it was on that basis that we are requesting the governor to suspend100% tax deduction.

“We negotiated under Governor Kayode Fayemi, through this EKSU and College of Education was able to get 50%, FUOYE got 65% reduction, while the College of Health Technology, Ijero is paying 100% tax.

“The Ekiti State government should stop immediately the planned deduction of the arbitrary tax from the subvention/grant of the state owned institutions. “That the state government should stop harassing any tertiary educational institutions in the state on tax issue pending the final outcome of the negotiation between this body and the government. That the failure of the state government and management of various institutions to comply with the above resolutions of the unions would be vehemently resisted”, they said.