(NLC)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State has rejected
deduction of 25 per cent from salaries of senior civil servants in
the, asking Governor Nasir El-Rufai to return the deducted fund or
face action from the Union.
Kaduna State Government had at the weekend announced it would
deduct 25 per cent from salaries of civil servants receiving above
N67,000 to provide palliatives for vulnerable residents who don’t
work for the government and are affected by the COVID-19
lockdown.
But addressing a pres conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, NLC
Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, said, government should stop the
25% deduction and refund the affected workers.
Suleiman argued the deduction ought to have been done with the
consent of the labour union and function as voluntary donation
rather than forceful deduction.
According to him: “Sequel to the deductions of 25% 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 COVID19 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.
“In view of the above, Labour in Kaduna state calls on the
Kaduna state government to stop the 25% deduction henceforth and
should return the 25% 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.”
(NLC)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State has rejected
deduction of 25 per cent from salaries of senior civil servants in
the, asking Governor Nasir El-Rufai to return the deducted fund or
face action from the Union.
Kaduna State Government had at the weekend announced it would
deduct 25 per cent from salaries of civil servants receiving above
N67,000 to provide palliatives for vulnerable residents who don’t
work for the government and are affected by the COVID-19
lockdown.
But addressing a pres conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, NLC
Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, said, government should stop the
25% deduction and refund the affected workers.
Suleiman argued the deduction ought to have been done with the
consent of the labour union and function as voluntary donation
rather than forceful deduction.
According to him: “Sequel to the deductions of 25% 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 COVID19 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.
“In view of the above, Labour in Kaduna state calls on the
Kaduna state government to stop the 25% deduction henceforth and
should return the 25% 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.”