LAGOS- Some labour leaders have described as ‘illegal’ the decision by Kogi state government to slash the salary of its workers by 40 per cent.
A cross section of the unionists told newsmen in Lagos that there was no statutory document or record that empowers the government to deduct or slash workers salary.
It would be recalled that on April 28, Kogi government announced that it would slash the salary of its workers by 40 per cent owing to dwindling revenue allocation from the federal government.
According to the government, officers on grade level 1-6 would be paid their full salary while those on grade level 7 and above would be paid 60 per cent of their salary.
Mr Gbenga Komolafe, General Secretary, Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON), described the decision as “unacceptable and undemocratic.’’
“Slashing workers salary is tantamount to stealing and it is illegal. There should be a law to back such a decision and it should also follow due process,’’ he said and urged workers in the state to resist the decision.
Mr Tokunbo Korodo, Lagos State Chairman of the NLC, also urged the workers to oppose the decision, saying it was unconstitutional to slash workers monthly income.
Korodo explained that rather than slash workers salary, the government should settle all outstanding allowances and welfare packages of the workers before leaving office.
On his part, Mr Kelly Ogbolai, President, National Union of Shops and Distributive Employees (NUSDE), described the decision as “injustice’’ to the workers.