Kwara revenue workers halt tax collection over welfare disputes

Tax collection and other revenue operations in Kwara State are set to be disrupted from Thursday as workers of the state Internal Revenue Service have declared an indefinite work standstill over unresolved welfare demands.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), KWIRS Unit, directed members across all departments and stations to suspend official duties from November 12 until further notice.

The directive was contained in a notice dated November 11 and signed by the unit chairman, Qudus Aliyu, and secretary, Adam M. Ibrahim.

The union instructed workers to report to their respective duty posts but refrain from carrying out official assignments, attending to taxpayers or participating in revenue-generating operations.

It also directed maintenance officers, office assistants and drivers not to operate official vehicles or log into operational systems.

The union said the action followed prolonged negotiations with KWIRS management over workers’ welfare, working conditions and outstanding agreements.

It accused the management of subjecting workers to prolonged delays, neglect and unfulfilled promises, insisting that members could no longer tolerate the situation.

“We have endured delays, neglect, and empty promises for too long. Now it is high time to stand together as one body, with one voice,” the notice stated.

The union urged members to remain united and peaceful during the industrial action, warning that it would monitor compliance with the directive.

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It said the standstill would remain in force until negotiations with the management were concluded and a fresh directive issued by the union leadership.

The association also warned its financial members against disregarding the directive, regardless of their positions or connections within the agency.

It described the action as a collective struggle to secure better welfare and working conditions for employees.

The union did not specify the individual welfare demands or the outstanding agreements at the centre of the dispute.