Anambra workers lament N48,000 monthly salary deduction

The organised labour in Anambra State have threatened industrial action over what workers describe as arbitrary deductions from their salaries, allegedly carried out without explanation by the state government.

The State’s labour movement led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), is expected to meet in Awka on Thursday to deliberate on the matter and decide on the next line of action.

Many civil servants across the State say they have continued to receive what they describe as “half salaries” or heavily reduced wages at the end of every month, leaving them unable to cope with the country’s worsening economic hardship.

Some workers decried that many of them visibly distressed, alleged that deductions ranging from N25,000 to N48,000 are routinely made from their monthly salaries.

According to them, the situation became more pronounced following the state’s crackdown on workers who failed to report to duty during the Monday sit-at-home order enforced by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The workers claimed that despite regular attendance at work and stricter monitoring by government officials, salary deductions have continued unabated.

“We are suffering. The salary can no longer sustain us. Imagine a family man or woman taking home just N22,000 in a month under the current economic conditions,” one of the worker lamented.

Transportation alone consumes a huge part of our income. Feeding, school fees and rent are becoming impossible.”

Another worker said the only option left was for labour unions to confront the government over what he described as the “inhuman treatment” of workers.

The development has sparked growing anger among civil servants already struggling with soaring transport costs, rising food prices and inflation.

Labour leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity declined to disclose details of their next move ahead of Thursday’s meeting but hinted that workers may soon make their grievances public.

“The painful part is that we discussed this issue with the governor during the May Day celebration, yet nothing has changed,” one labour leader said.

“Workers continue to lament. What form of punishment is this? We may have become too complacent because of familiarity, but this cannot continue.

“After our meeting, the world will hear from us.”

However, a government official close to Governor Chukwuma Soludo dismissed suggestions that the deductions were a form of retaliation against workers who obeyed sit-at-home directives.

The aide, who requested anonymity, acknowledged complaints about salary deductions but expressed confidence that the matter would be addressed.

“I have heard about such deductions, but our governor will look into it. Nobody wants strikes in Anambra State again, and there should be no reason for one,” the official said.

As workers await the outcome of Thursday’s labour meeting, anxiety continues to grow across the state’s civil service, with many hoping for a quick resolution to a dispute that threatens industrial peace in Anambra.