Organised Labour in Nasarawa State has rejected the payment of workers’ salaries in percentages by the state government.
Mr Yusuf Sarki-Iya, the Auditor of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and spokesperson for the state Public Joint Negotiating Council, announced the workers’ decision immediately after a meeting in Lafia on Thursday.
He said the meeting was aimed at briefing the State Executive Council and Administrative Council members on the recent development in respect of the payment of workers in the state.
Sarki-Iya added that it was to keep them informed about the efforts of the labour leadership was making since last week that workers received their September salaries in percentage.
He explained that the union totally rejected ercentage payment of workers’ salaries as well as non-payment of their July and August salaries by the government.
“We have already reported the new development to our national headquarters and they have promised to meet and table the matter to the Minister of Labour and (National) Human Rights Commission.
“Both the union and the state government had agreed to maintain status quo pending the outcome of the work of a committee set up at the instance of the Minister of Labour.
“While the committee is still working, the state government in its usual characteristics, violated their commitment by paying September salaries in percentage and refused to pay July and August salaries.
“The state government had written to Human Rights Commission and served the union on its commitment to pay full salaries pending the outcome of the investigation,” Sarki-Iya added.
He, therefore, advised all workers in the state to remain calm, adding that the union would not relent in the struggle for their welfare till victory was achieved.
However, the State Head of Civil Service, Mr Joseph Anchour, said both political appointees and civil servants received 66 per cent salary after deducting first line charge.
He added that in spite of the government’s open door approach, some labour leaders had deliberately decided to misrepresent what transpired at their last meeting before the September salaries were paid.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Labour and the government in Nasarawa State have been at loggerheads over the payment of workers’ salaries since July.
Following the disagreements, the workers embarked on an indefinite strike on July 4 and during a protest march, two workers died and the workers accused the government being responsible.
The crisis had led to the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the National Human Rights Commission. (NAN)