The National Association of Plant Operators of Nigeria (NAPO) has demanded that Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria provide proof that taxes deducted from its workers for the past three years were remitted to the federal government.
The demand follows allegations that the company deducted taxes from workers but failed to remit them to the government.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt after a meeting with the Rivers State Comptroller of the Ministry of Labour, NAPO’s National President, Harold Benstowe, stated that the association has mandated its lawyers to petition anti-graft agencies and relevant institutions to investigate the company’s financial conduct.
“We have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Finance, among others, to investigate this matter.
“We want to know why the company deducted taxes from workers without remitting them to the government,” Benstowe said.
The association’s demands are coming on the heels of a labour dispute between NAPO and Daewoo over poor working conditions. The workers, who are members of NAPO, had been on strike to protest the company’s alleged failure to meet its obligations.
The workers, who are members of NAPO, had been protesting against alleged excessive tax deductions and non-transparent remittance practices by DECN.
The company had suspended all activities on the site and asked the workers to vacate the workers’ village.
However, the workers refused to comply, stating that they would only return to work when their grievances were addressed.
The controversy surrounding the company’s tax practices has also brought to the fore the issue of the new law requiring all taxable Nigerians to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) by January 2026.
NAPO is urging the company to comply with the law and provide proof of tax remittance.
Benstowe warned the company to take immediate action to resolve the issue, saying, “We are not afraid of intimidation, and we will not back down. We will ensure that our members’ rights are protected.”
The association has also accused the police of intimidation, alleging that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bonny Police Station has been threatening to arrest NAPO leaders.
Meanwhile, Benstowe urged his members to remain calm and patient as negotiations continue between the workers and management of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited (DECN).
He stated that they would return to Federal Secretariat on Wednesday to spell out their conditions and demands for resuming work.
He said, “We’re coming on Wednesday because they didn’t come today. The workers will spell out to them their conditions and their demands to resume work,” he said.
Benstowe emphasised that the management was responsible for suspending activities on the site, and the workers were willing to return to work once their issues were resolved.
He maintained that the plan by DECN to compel workers to sign undertakings before resuming work is “dead on arrival”.
The association views this move as a form of victimisation and intimidation, which it will not tolerate.
Leave a Comment