Nigeria and Britain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) permitting serving diplomats' spouses of both countries to work, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry has said in Abuja. Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria and Britain had signed the MoU to allow the diplomats’ family members to be gainfully engaged in their host countries, "in accordance with the provisions of the law of the state." Uhomoibhi said that with the document in place, spouses who got employed would be taxed, in accordance with the provisions of the law of state, "as it has lifted the diplomatic immunity of no work, no tax." NAN reports that before now, spouses of serving diplomats in the countries were forbidden to be employed, and so, had tax immunity. Uhomoibhi explained that the development was not a new practice in the diplomatic circle, "as many countries are sensitive to the plight of spouses who are professionals in various fields." He however, stated that the work permit was limited to the serving term of the diplomats as "any authorisation to engage in a gainful occupation in the receiving state, will in principle, be terminated at the end of the assignment of the member of a diplomatic mission or consular post." According to him, the MoU will be in operation for an indefinite period, and could be terminated through a three-month notice by either state. He added that Nigeria welcomed any country wishing to sign a similar MoU. Source: Thisdayonline.com