NLC gives Government 48 hours ultimatum over salary cut

The Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday gave the state government a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse its 35 per cent cut in the salary of its workers.

Abdullahi Adeka, the NLC Chairman, gave the ultimatum at a media briefing after the Executive Council meeting of the Organised Labour in Lafia.

According to him, the decision by the organised labour is in response to the May 13 announcement by Mr Joseph Anchor, the state’s Head of Service, that workers would sacrifice 35 per cent of their salaries.

Adeka said that workers in the state had already sacrificed a lot of their entitlements to the state government in the last five years.

"In the last five years, we have sacrificed four months arrears of minimum wage, six years promotion, and six years annual increment, among others.

"Given the sacrifice already made by workers in the state, and in view of the hike in the price of virtually everything in the country, any downward review of salaries is unacceptable.

He urged workers to start stockpiling foodstuff in anticipation of an indefinite strike, if the government failed to reverse its decision, as the state would be shut down completely.

The NLC chairman urged the state government to account for the N3.9 billion bailout fund meant for the payment of state government’s workers.

"We were part of the process for the release of N4.3 billion meant for the payment of Local Government Workers’ salary arrears; but where is the remaining balance?” he asked.