– Meets with NLC,TUC, pleads for time
Our Reporter
The planned protest and industrial action by the Anambra state workers over salary deductions by the state government may not hold again,as the government officials have met with the leadership of the organised Labour.
During the meeting on Thursday that lasted for hours, the government officials ,led by the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service HoS, pleaded for time to present the matter to the governor,Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
Razor News,gathered that between 10 to 15 percent of workers salaries are being deducted every month in the state without any explanations.
The situation has caused tension in the state with the workers planning a heavy protest and strike action if nothing was done.
As a result, the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and Trade Union Congress TUC leaderships scheduled a meeting on Thursday to address the issue before the intervention of the government officials to avert the danger
Though the Labour leaders are keeping mute on the said meeting and what was deliberated, but a government official,told Razor News Friday that the deliberations were fruitful
According to the source who pleaded not to be quoted,” the state cannot afford a new wave of strike from Labour again. Our governor has a listening ear, and I believe this issue will soon be sorted out.
“We asked the leadership of Labour to give us between now and 15 of May to discuss with the governor ”
The state civil servants continue to groan at the end of every month as majority of them receive quarter or half salaries when they receive their monthly payments.
According to some of the workers who spoke with Razor News,in tears, said as high as 41k and 48k naira are deducted from their salaries each month, while some others lose between 25 to 40k naira.
They said it all started when the governor,Prof Chukwuma Soludo threatened the workers because of the Monday sit-at-home, where some workers were suspended for up to six months without pay.
They are expressing growing frustration over what they describe as persistent salary slashes despite strict enforcement of work attendance by the state government.
Many workers who spoke anonymously ,said they report to work regularly, especially on Mondays when attendance monitoring is said to be stricter, yet their salaries continue to be reduced monthly without clear explanations.
The development has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among workers already battling Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, rising transportation costs, inflation, and increasing household expenses.
Meanwhile, Razor News gathered that part of the deliberations at the meeting was the issue of contributory pensions scheme being proposed to kicks of January,2027
According to the source,there are plans to send the bill to the state house of Assembly any moment from now.
“And when passed, the contributory Pensions scheme takes off early next year “
