Companies found in violation of the new Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) policy will face substantial penalties, with fines set at N3 million for each offense, according to reliable sources cited by The PUNCH.
The specified offenses under the policy include failure to submit EEL, neglecting to register an employee, corporate entities not renewing EEL within the stipulated 30-day period, and providing inaccurate information on EEL submissions. The EEL is a financial obligation imposed on employers who engage foreign workers, primarily targeting the offshore earnings of expatriates working in Nigeria. This initiative is designed to foster economic balance and workforce development by ensuring fair contributions from expatriate employment.
President Bola Tinubu officially launched the policy on February 28, 2024, emphasizing its role in narrowing wage gaps between expatriates and the Nigerian labor force while concurrently creating more employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians in foreign-operated companies within the country.
However, a handbook discovered by investigative journalists revealed that penalties would be imposed for offenses such as providing inaccurate or incomplete information. Corporate entities failing to file EEL within the designated 30 days are subject to a hefty fine of N3 million. Additionally, the failure to register an employee within the same timeframe carries a similar penalty. Falsification of information on EEL submissions also attracts a fine of N3 million.
Furthermore, the handbook outlined specific financial obligations for companies employing expatriates, stating that $15,000 must be paid for expatriates serving as directors, while other categories incur a fee of $10,000.
The Ministry of Interior issued a notice on its website, declaring the EEL card a mandatory document, comparable to a passport. The EEL card will be a prerequisite for expatriates entering and leaving the country, and the ministry has set April 15 as the deadline for compliance with the policy. The notice emphasized that companies should refer to the handbook and user manual available on the portal for comprehensive details and registration processes. It reiterated that the EEL card is mandatory, akin to a passport, and must be presented during lawful exits and entries into the country.
