NECA commends FG for halting expatriate levy, calls for stakeholder engagement

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the federal government for putting on hold the implementation of the expatriate employment levy (EEL).

Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, director-general of NECA, spoke in a statement on Sunday.

“We commend the Minister of Interior and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for their roles played in putting the EEL on hold,” he said

“While we appreciate the objectives of the scheme and the need to address gaps in the management of expatriate employment in Nigeria, the decision by the government is nothing short of genuine concern for the plight of organised businesses.

“This has further affirmed this administration as a listening one; the speed of response to organised businesses’ concern was commendable and worthy of note.”

The director-general told the government to deepen engagement with stakeholders including Organised Private Sector (OPS).

“We are always open to engage the government at all levels and the proposal for stakeholders engagement on the issue is highly welcome,” he said.

“We urge an inclusive engagement with members of the OPSN, with the view of harvesting workable solutions and options for a win-win position for the economy and the private sector.”

The federal government suspended the expatriate employment levy (EEL) on March 8 — a week after President Bola Tinubu launched it.

EEL, launched on February 28, was introduced by the federal government to close wage gaps between expatriates and the Nigerian labour force.

The expatriate employment levy, which provides guidelines on the employment of Nigerians in foreign-owned companies, requires firms to pay levies for hiring expatriates.