The Kano State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has expressed its determination to embark on strike action if the Kano State government does not stop further deduction of workers and pensioners salaries in the state.
The state government in an earlier press release said that the deductions made in the months November and December 2020 were meant to keep governance going due to fall in Federal allocations and Internally Generated Revenue occasioned by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the decision was to prevent issues of half salary, batch payment or on the extreme lay off of workers.
The Chairman of the NLC Chapter in Kano, Comrade Dr Kabiru Ado Minjibir in a media briefing organised by the NLC, TUC and Joint Negotiating Council said the state government should stop further deductions and promptly payback the two months so far deducted or face legal and industrial actions.
“Should there be any further deduction, reversal or any foul play on salary or pension under whatever excuse, the labour centres would be left with no any other alternative than to take appropriate legal and/or industrial action to seek for redress.”
“The labour centres are not ready to accept any further unilateral deduction of pension and salary or any other legitimate earning of any worker or pensioner in the state.”
“We urge the government to immediately refund the deducted amounts for both workers and pensioners in the months of November and December 2020,” emphasised the Labour Leader.
He said if the deductions continue the Labour Centre cannot guarantee industrial Peace and Harmony in the state.
He said it is uncalled for, at a time when Lagos State Government is giving 30 percent salary bonus to its workers, Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states where there is crisis are not tempering with their workers’ salaries, Kano State without crisis is deducting workers salaries.
He urged worker to remain at alert for further directives, pray for the challenges to be over while assuring them of the Union’s commitment and sacrifice in prompting their interest at all times.
Minjibir, however, debunked the much-publicised story on Kano State Government’s reversal of the N30,600 minimum wage to N18,000 calling it a Malicious and ill-motivated grapevine publication.
“Concerned by the development and to avoid taking chances, the Congress reached out to the relevant stakeholders in the Government to ascertain the authenticity of the publication which was disowned by those so far consulted,” said Comrade Minjibir.
He reminded the Kano State Government that in case of any foul play, the Minimum wage is a product of tripartite negotiation and cannot therefore under whatever circumstances be subjected to unilateral review.
“Salary and pension are legitimate rights NOT privileges that can be exploited and manipulated anyhow,” cautioned Comrade Ado Minjibir.
Nnenna.O
