COVID-19: Kaduna workers reject 25% deduction from salaries

Workers in Kaduna State Wednesday rejected the state government’s deduction of 25 percent from salaries of senior civil servants in the state.

The state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, had said last week said the deductions were due to issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Ayuba Magaji, who spoke at a press briefing in Kaduna, implored the government to stop the 25 percent deduction henceforth and return the one already deducted from the workers.

He said the government should have consulted the labour leaders before implementing the deductions.

Magaji said: “Sequel to the deductions of 25 percent on the salary of all civil servants in Kaduna State, effective from April 2020, labour in Kaduna State unequivocally rejects this deduction. This is because the union was not consulted on the issue nor consented to the deduction.

“Article 8 of the International Labour Organization Protection of Wages Convention, 1949, (No.95) provides that deduction from wages shall be permitted only under conditions and to the extent prescribed by the National Laws or regulations or fixed by collective agreement or arbitration award.

“Section 5(1) of the Labour Act Cap 1.1 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 provides thus: ‘Except where it is expressly permitted by this act or any agreement or contract with a worker for any deductions or wages to be paid by the employer to the worker or any payment to the employer by the worker for or in respect of any fines provided that with the prior consent in writing of an authorized labour officer a reasonable deduction may be made in respect of injury or loss caused to the employer by the willful misconduct or neglect of the worker.”

“Labour in Kaduna State is not against the provision of palliatives to the poor to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown from the salaries of civil servants in Kaduna State but wish to state that, it ought to be carried along, and such deductions or contributions should be made voluntary not compulsory.

“As responsible working groups who are conscious of the predicament of the average citizens of Kaduna State, we are disposed to committing much higher for the wellbeing of the less privilege if the need be and proper process is followed.

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“In view of the above, labour in Kaduna State calls on the state government to stop the 25 percent deduction henceforth and should return the 25 percent salary already deducted from the workers.”

“Failure to comply with the above will leave the labour in the state with no option than to explore other possible avenues within the purview of the law.”

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