The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council, has condemned the mass sack of workers in the state public service.
The state NLC Chairnan, Mr. Ayuba Suleiman, made the condemnation at a press conference on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The NLC was reacting to the sack of local councils workers who are above 50 years, and pegging of total number of staff in each local council at 50 workers.
The government has also ordered the conversion of all categories of officers on GL 01-06 as casual workers, among others.
The government had since commenced issuance of sack letters to the affected workers.
Suleiman said any sack of workers whose appointments are statutorily protected must be based on strict compliance with the disciplinary procedure provided in the public service rules.
According to him, the state government must take into cognisance, the cost implication of the mass sack on the society and families, as well as the security situation in the state.
He noted that the state government had not paid the entitlements of workers it sacked since 2016, and wondered how the government would pay the terminal benefits of those being sacked now.
“Kaduna state is already faced with issues of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, the devastating effect of COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling business prospects, therefore, any additional pain on citizens will reasonably be repulsive to conscience,” he added.
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“We call on the state government to reverse this unpopular decision on the mass sack of workers, and seek alternative means of running government without inflicting additional pains on the public.”
Suleiman said the NLC would remain organized, peaceful and rational in engaging the government and other stakeholders towards ensuring amicable resolution of all issues affecting workers in the state.
“It is our prayers that prominent citizens and other people of goodwill such as senior citizens, the political class, the clergy, traditional rulers would partner with organized labour with a view to save the state from needless skirmishes.
“This is necessary in order to prevent the labour movement from being compelled to take some drastic measures.” Suleiman said.
The NLC chairman noted that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has bastardised the civil service and demoralised workers since his assumption of office. NAN
