The Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), under the leadership of Dr. Muda Yusuf, has raised concerns over the potential negative ramifications of the new Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) introduced by the federal government.
According to Dr. Yusuf, this policy initiative by the Tinubu administration may trigger reciprocal actions against Nigerians and impede regional integration efforts within ECOWAS and across Africa.
In a statement addressing the implications of the EEL, Dr. Yusuf emphasized that the policy could deter investment in the real sectors of the Nigerian economy. He highlighted the absence of restrictions on workers from other African countries, despite Nigeria’s prominent leadership role on the continent.
“Nigeria occupies a leadership position in Africa and is highly respected. Our president currently chairs ECOWAS. However, this policy does not extend exceptions to our African brothers and neighbors,” Dr. Yusuf remarked.
He expressed grave concerns about the potential repercussions for diaspora Nigerians, citing the risk of reciprocal actions from other countries that could adversely affect Nigerians abroad. With over 17 million Nigerians residing in various countries worldwide, Dr. Yusuf underscored the significance of diaspora remittances, which exceed $20 billion annually.
“The activation of reciprocity policies in host countries could have devastating effects on our diaspora citizens,” Dr. Yusuf warned.
Additionally, the CPPE criticized the short compliance timeframe of four weeks stipulated by the federal government and recommended an extension to six months to allow for smoother implementation.
The backdrop to this development is the recent introduction of the Expatriate Employment Levy by the federal government, aimed at imposing a levy on companies employing foreigners in Nigeria. The initiative seeks to enhance revenue collection, promote job creation for Nigerians, and address salary disparities between expatriate and Nigerian employees in foreign-operated companies within the country.
Reportedly, companies that violate the new policy will face a penalty of N3 million for each infringement. The infractions include failure to submit EEL, neglecting to register an employee, a corporate entity failing to renew EEL within 30 days, and providing false information regarding EEL.
While the government’s intentions to bolster revenue collection and prioritize local employment are commendable, the CPPE’s concerns underscore the need for careful consideration of potential repercussions, particularly in the context of regional integration and diaspora relations.
Besides regional integration, other implications abound
In addition to concerns raised by the CPPE, other implications of the government’s move to introduce the EEL warrant consideration. While the levy aims to enhance revenue collection and prioritize local employment, it could inadvertently impact various aspects of Nigeria’s economy and international relations.
One notable implication is the potential disruption to foreign investment inflows and business operations in Nigeria. The imposition of the EEL may discourage multinational corporations from establishing or expanding their presence in the country, as it adds to the cost of employing expatriate staff. This could lead to reduced investment flows, hindered job creation, and hampered economic growth, particularly in sectors reliant on foreign expertise and technology transfer.
Furthermore, the EEL may strain diplomatic relations with other countries, especially those whose citizens are employed in Nigeria. The absence of exceptions for workers from other African countries, as highlighted by Dr. Muda Yusuf of the CPPE, could lead to diplomatic tensions and reciprocal measures against Nigerian expatriates working abroad. Such tensions may impede regional integration efforts within ECOWAS and undermine Nigeria’s leadership role on the continent.
Moreover, the short compliance timeframe of four weeks, as criticized by the CPPE, raises concerns about the practicality and efficiency of implementation. Companies may struggle to comply with the new levy within the stipulated timeframe, leading to administrative challenges, disruptions in business operations, and potential legal disputes.
Additionally, the EEL may exacerbate existing disparities in the labor market and hinder efforts to address skills shortages in key sectors of the economy. By imposing additional costs on employing expatriates, the levy could deter skilled foreign professionals from contributing their expertise to critical industries, thereby limiting opportunities for knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Furthermore, the impact of the EEL on diaspora Nigerians, as highlighted by Dr. Yusuf, cannot be overlooked. The potential activation of reciprocity policies in host countries could have adverse effects on Nigerians living abroad, including higher taxation or restrictions on employment opportunities. This could undermine the significant contributions of the Nigerian diaspora to the country’s economy through remittances and skills transfer.
In light of these implications, stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, and international partners, have been advised to engage in dialogue to assess the potential consequences of the EEL and explore alternative strategies to achieve the objectives of revenue generation and local employment promotion while mitigating adverse effects on investment, diplomatic relations, and diaspora engagement.
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