Kaduna: Mass sack looms as govt moves to retire workers above 50 years

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Kaduna state council has advised state government not to embark on the planned mass sack and casualisation of workers in Kaduna state, noting that it will impoverish the people and increase insecurity in the state.

The state government through a letter by the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) recently requested for a comprehensive list of staff in all the MDAS with a view to sacking workers en mass.

The letter among others recommended that all staff from 50 years and above would go on compulsory retirement; officers on GL/14 and above, even if they are less than 50 years, compulsory retirement. All categories of officers on GL 01 to 06 would be converted to casual workers; and that no local government should have more than 50 staff strength.

Reacting to the move in a statement, Thursday, the NLC state chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman and state secretary, Comrade Christiana John Bawa, said “on Tuesday 6 April, 2021, thousands of workers in the local government services of the state were issued with sack letters without recourse to the payment of gratuity, against Section 210 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees pension rights and also without any fair hearing accorded the affected workers.

“The Kaduna state government, in a manner defying all rationality and logic especially in the face of excruciating economic reality, issued a letter which was signed by the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Governor and sent to the Head of Service of Kaduna state, apparently preparatory to another round of mass sack in the public service of Kaduna state.

“The PPS requested for the comprehensive list of staff from all the MDAS as categorized below: Officers that are 50 years and above – Compulsory retirement, Officers on GL/14 and above, even if they are less than 50 years – Compulsory Retirement. All categories of officers on GL 01 to 06 – Conversion to casual and that no local government should have more than 50 staff strength.

“The NLC Kaduna state Council after extensive deliberations at its emergency meeting kicked against the mass sack of workers in the public service and any sack of workers whose appointments are statutorily protected must be based on strict compliance with the disciplinary procedure as provided in the public service rules.

“The government of Kaduna state must take into effect the cost implication of the mass.

sack on the society and the implication it will bring to bear on families and already compromised security situation in our beloved state. If the workers that were sacked in 2016 are yet to be paid their entitlements, how can the KDSG guarantee the payment of terminal benefits of those being sacked now?”

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