Workers in Anambra State have suspended plans for industrial action over unexplained salary deductions following an emergency meeting with representatives of the state government.
The dispute arose over recurring deductions that workers said have reduced monthly earnings across ministries, departments, and agencies without adequate explanations or detailed breakdowns.
According to labour sources, employees have experienced deductions ranging from 10 to 15 per cent of their salaries each month, with some workers reportedly losing between ₦25,000 and ₦48,000 from their pay packets.
Many employees claimed that the deductions had significantly affected their take-home pay, with some receiving only a fraction of their expected earnings.
Tensions escalated earlier this week as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state scheduled a meeting for Thursday to determine their next line of action amid growing discontent over the deductions and strict attendance monitoring measures, particularly on Mondays.
The concerns over attendance intensified after Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo warned public servants against complying with the Monday sit-at-home directive, leading to the suspension of some workers for six months without pay.
Government officials, led by the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service, held lengthy discussions with organised labour on Thursday and appealed for restraint while efforts are made to resolve the issues.
According to a government source, the meeting was productive and included discussions on plans to introduce a contributory pension scheme by January 2027. A bill to that effect is expected to be transmitted to the Anambra State House of Assembly in the coming weeks.
“We asked the leadership of labour to give us between now and 15 May to discuss with the governor,” one of the sources said.
Although workers have put the planned strike on hold, labour leaders said they would continue to monitor developments closely while awaiting a resolution of the salary deduction issues.
The temporary suspension of industrial action reflects efforts by both parties to maintain industrial harmony while addressing concerns over workers’ welfare, salary transparency, and pension reforms.
