Kogi workers, doctors reject 50% pay cut

• Labour says it will be regarded as ‘Sallah gift’
• Urges gov to account for bailout and Paris Club funds

The Kogi State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Public Sector Joint Negotiation Council (PSJNC) have rejected the 50 per cent salary cut proposed by the state government on account of lean resources.

The organised labour, in a bulletin issued yesterday, said any payment short of 100 per cent would be regarded as a ‘Sallah gift’ to workers. “This is to inform all workers that government is at it again, as it is proposing 50 per cent salary payment for the month of July after collecting the bailout fund, first and second tranche of London Paris Club refund and the normal monthly allocations.

“We hereby demand for an explanation as to how government arrived at N3.1 billion wage, even when reasonable number‎ of workers have not been paid for several months.

“As workers, it would be better to take this stance today and safe tomorrow, as any attempt to take half salar‎y shall be the beginning of percentage salary payment in Kogi State. We wish our members a happy Sallah in advance even though on empty stomach,” the statement said.

In the same vein, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Kogi State Chapter has rejected the payment of 50 per cent salary to its members.In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Godwin Tijani and made available to newsmen yesterday, the NMA stated that the association was not invited to the meeting held between the state government and labour leaders where it was agreed that 50 per cent would be paid to workers.

He said: “We only saw the news in the media this morning which we took with a pinch of salt but by yesterday, many of our members were getting alert confirming the payment of 50 per cent of their salaries. Kogi doctors are not happy with that decision.

“As a noble and an understanding association, we expected the government to notify us of this shortfalls and not be taken by surprise.”He, therefore, appealed to doctors in the state to remain calm without being disillusioned by that discrimination adding that they should go about their normal activities as efforts are being made to correct the defects in their salaries.