Yuguda approves broad based c’ttee to review workers’ salary

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

Bauchi state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda has approved a broad-based task force committee to review the salary package of civil servants, following the dwindling resources in the state.

It could be recalled that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had issued a joint press release alleging that the delay in the payment of workers’ February salary was as a result of the plan by the state government to deduct 10 percent.

A circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Servicom Matters Bureau, Hashimu A. Dori, sent to all government, ministries, parastatals and emirate councils titled: “ Payment of Workers’ Salary” which copies were made available to newsmen yesterday in Bauchi said the committee has adequate representation of the organized labour and other stakeholders.

According to the circular, the committee will come up with far reaching recommendations which include improved internal revenue generation to assist government improve its cash flow as well as ensure an un-interrupted salary payments in the wake of economic crunch.

Part of the circular read: “Following the continuous decline in the revenue, being received monthly from the Federation account for many months now, virtually all states in the Federation were plunged into financial difficulties which also adversely affected socio-economic services being rendered and indeed, the payment of monthly salaries to workers Nation-wide, which include Bauchi state.

“As a result, some state government had cut salaries of workers by about half the amount in order to cope. Other states looked inwards to adjust their expenditures which also included retrenchment and non-payment of salaries as at when due and salary reduction in varying degrees as the case may be.