Half salary: Kogi workers give govt 7-day ultimatum

The organised labour in Kogi State has given a seven-day ultimatum to the state government over its decision to pay 50 percent salary to state workers and 40 percent to local government workers across the state.

The workers, after a meeting presided over by the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Onuh Edoka, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ranti Ojo, restated their resolve to reject the half salary policy of government.

The labour unions faulted the claim of the government that its wage bill was N3.1 billion as presented during its meeting with the leadership of the workers.

According to the organised labour, which also include the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, said government later brought down the figure to N2.6 billion after the issue was raised with it.

The statement read, “If the N2.6 billion being quoted now by government as July 2017 wage bill is sacrosanct, and if the monthly allocation that accrued to the state from the federation account without the IGR shared in the month of August 2017 stands at N2.6 billion as presented to the organised labour we wish to ask; why the percentage of salary.

“We wish to assure all workers that the organised labour still maintains her stance on ‘No percentage/half salary as proposed by government.”

The workers therefore noted that the current percentage payment of 50 percent to state workers and 40 to local government workers and teachers was seen as Sallah gift from government.

“In view of this, we urge government to pay July salary in full on or before Tuesday September 12, 2107 in order to further sustain the industrial peace and harmony in the state.”