Labour unions in Kano have given the state government 14 days to reverse its decision to slash worker’s May salary.
They are threatening a seven days warning strike if the decision is not reversed before the end of 14 days, chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Kano, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, told a press conference.
The unions say the cut was abrupt and without notification.
According to the unions, comprising of 13 bodies and their affiliates, the ultimatum takes effect Wednesday, May 27, 2020, after which they will decide on the next line of action.
Minjibir added that the cut is against the provisions of Nigerian Labour Act, 1974 and many other international conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He said the unions have decided to reject what they described as ‘illegal deductions’, calling on the state government to respect the new minimum wage agreement reached with the unions and shun further deduction unconditionally.
“The Kano state government has violated the existing minimum wage law, 2019 which is a product of tripartite committee entered into agreement sent to the legislature by the executive and signed by the president”, Minjibir said.
He added that, “The state also failed to implement fully the signed agreement of the consequential adjustment arising from the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage to workers at local government level, primary healthcare, SUBEB (primary and secondary school teachers) tertiary institutions and ministry of justice, thereby unilaterally implement partially without the consent of the labour side representing them.
“Healthcare and other frontline workers (e.g media) currently in contact with COVID-19 patients, testing and/or taking body specimen are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 and shall be categorised and motivated with occupational safety incentives, harzard allowances and clear policy on life insurance cover as implemented by the federal government”, he added.
Similarly, the labour unions demanded immediate payment of arrears of consequential adjustments to all categories of civil servants in the state between April and November last year.
Daily Trust reports that civil servants in the state have recently lamented deductions in their May salaries without prior notice by the government.
The development came amidst the decision of the state to slash salaries of all its political appointees due to shortfall in monthly subventions from the federation account and collapse in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) as a result of economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
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