​Labour cautions Kano Government on deduction of workers salary

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday told the Kano State Government to stop any further deductions of workers salary in the state or face resistance from the workers.

NLC chairman in the state Alhaji Kabiru Ado told newsmen at the NLC Secretariat in Kano, that the workers would resist any plan to further deduct their salaries.

“Attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the leadership of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) has been drawn to a malicious and ill-motivated grapevine publication circulating that the state government is set on reversing the payment of the current minimum wage of N30,600 to the old wage of N18,000.

“Other states such as Borno, Katsina, Lagos, among others, who had issues with COVID-19 and security challenges did not reduce workers salary.

“It is now more than before that the state government needs to support workers and their families to scale through the hard times,” he said.

Ado said that due to the salary deduction suffered by workers and pensioners in November and December 2020, the congress had been compelled to take appropriate action on the matter.

He said that NLC was not ready to accept any further unilateral deductions of the legitimate earnings of any worker or pensioner, and that the state government should immediately refund the deducted amounts for the months of November and December 2020.

“If there is further deduction, severance or foul play on salary, under whatever excuse, the labour congress would be left with no other alternative than to take appropriate industrial action to seek redress,” he said.

Ado urged the state government to further desist from taking any measures that will damage its established reputation of being prompt in the payment of salaries over the years.

The chairman commended the workers and pensioners for their support and understanding in these trying times and enjoined them to remain alert and await further directives from the leadership of the NLC in the state.

National Eye Centre sues 14, Court set to deliver judgement

The chief magistrate Court 1, Daura road Kaduna, has adjourned hearing on the case of illegal sale of land belonging to the National Eye Centre Kaduna, to the 25th of January, 2021.

Announcing the adjournment, Magistrate Bashir shittu Yusuf said the decision followed the filing of a notice of preliminary objection by the third defendant challenging the case.

In an interview with newsmen counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Emmanuel Ochum gave an update on the hearing.

“the National Eye Centre dragged 12 people including 2 registered companies to court for trespassing on its land. Some were building and some selling off the properties to other people and this went on for a long time.

“so they were sued for criminal conspiracy and unlawful trespassing. The court adjourned the ruling because of a preliminary notice filed by the defence council.” Ochum added.

Also speaking, legal representative to the defendants, Barrister Abubakar A. Muhammed spoke on the outcome of the hearing saying he is confident that justice will be served.

A total of 14 people including 2 registered companies have been dragged to court for unlawfully trespassing on the land belonging to the National Eye Center, Kaduna