Court stops Ganduje from deducting judiciary workers’ salaries

A High Court in Kano on Thursday stopped Governor Abdullahi Ganduje from further deductions of the salaries of judiciary workers in the state.

Justice Usman Na’abba gave the order following an exparte motion filed before the court by the workers under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Kano State chapter.

The plaintiffs in the suit through its counsel, F. I. Umar, joined the Kano State governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Finance, Head of Service and Accountant General as defendants.

They urged the court to restrain the defendants from further deductions of their salaries.

Justice Na’abba, in an interim order, granted the plaintiffs prayers by restraining the defendants from further actions pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The judge further directed the defendants or their agents to comply with the agreement dated December 19, 2019, entered into between Kano State Government and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council by paying JUSUN members their full salaries under Consolidated Judicial Staff Salary Structure.

He then adjourned the case till January 28, 2021.

Kano reaffirms commitment to minimum wage, says deductions temporary

Moreover, the Kano state government has reaffirmed its commitment to the continuous implementation of the N30,600.00 minimum wage for civil servants.

It however said, that deduction in November/December workers’ salary was a temporary measure informed by the drop in federal allocation and dwindling internally generated revenue occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba who stated this in a statement, Thursday, indicated that the deduction was necessary to keep the government going in the face of the prevailing economic recession facing the country.

“The state government took the measure instead of contemplating on paying half salary or in batches as obtained in other states or layoffs.

“Similar temporary measure was taken, including cut in the allowances for all political appointees in its administrative structure, during the first wave of the pandemic in the country between March and July, last year, which was withdrawn soon after the virus situation improved.

“As soon as the state of affairs improves, the state government would not hesitate to pay workers in its employ the full salary,” Malam Garba stated.

He solicited for the support and cooperation of the entire workforce in the state to bear with the situation and desist from spreading rumours on the government intention.