The Niger State government has expressed dismay at a recent media report that it is planning to effect a 70 percent salary cut of the state workforce or retrench some workers.
Rather, what government did, in its tradition of engaging with stakeholders on issues, met with labour on the present economic meltdown to discuss the way forward.
At the meeting, which was presided by the Secretary to the State Government, Shehu Umar Danyaya, government informed labour of the precarious condition of the state finance and that the state has been borrowing since January to augment workers’ salary.
It was a meeting where government presented figures of her receipts and wage bill to labour, to enable us jointly proffer solution in view of the state’s dwindling resources.
At the meeting, three options were suggested by government for consideration as obtained in other states. These include, downsizing of work force, deduction in salaries and payment of full salary to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies this month and consider others the following month.
At no point did government announce plan for 70 per cent slash. What it did was only to give the financial books of the state to the labour in order to find joint solution to the challenges confronting us as partners.
I wish to also state here that government later ruled out staff downsizing as an option. So, it was wrong for the publication to have said that government threatened to reduce the workforce if labour objects to salary cut.
Let it also be on record that the 26- man organised labour team, led by state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Idris Ndako and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Y. D Tanimu, appreciated the financial predicaments of the state.
The labour leaders however said they will have to go back to their congresses to discuss government positions. The meeting then agreed to reconvene on Monday (tomorrow) for further deliberations.
I wish to also add that the present leadership in the state under Abubakar Sani Bello, will not do anything to compromise workers welfare.
Other members of the government delegation at the meeting include Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Maude Lapai, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Alhaji Mohammed Nda, Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Balarabe and Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Kabiru Abbas Musa.
