Some workers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are currently groaning over a cut in their October salaries and allowances amid inflation and general economic hardship in the country.
SaharaReporters gathered that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) cut down most of their workers’ salaries, claiming its budget and personnel cost vote had been exhausted.
A letter by the Joint Union Actions Committee confirmed the action.
“This is to inform the entire staff of FCTA FCDA that management met with JUAC earlier this week and has informed JUAC to sensitise all staff of its inability to pay salary of all FCTA staff in the month of October, 2023,” the letter dated October 27 and signed by JUAC President, Muyideen Oluwakorede and Secretary, Enojo Sunday, read.
“This is due to the fact that the FCTA budget, personnel cost vote has been exhausted because of the payment of the 40% peculiar allowance to staff of FCTA that started some time in this year 2023, payment of hazard allowance in some DSAs and so many other allowances not budgeted for.
In view of the above, JUAC insisted that instead of not paying salary at all in October, management should handle the matter in this manner. i. That the October, 2023 salary be paid without the peculiar allowance which is what the current personnel cost vote can carry.
“That between now and November 2023 virement will be made to transfer funds from other votes to beef up the personnel cost vote to enable management pay November Salary in full.”
However, some affected workers told SaharaReporters that the pay cut had affected their morale.
Blaming the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, they added that the cut had further plunged them into untold hardship, especially with the increasing cost of almost all commodities in the country.
“The Minister, Wike could not consider the hardship in the country, talk-less of adding up to the N35,000 agreed upon by the president, but went ahead to cut down the workers’ October salaries, claiming there was no money,” an aggrieved worker told SaharaReporters.
“Most of us are living in perpetual debt, we just pay the debt and at the same time collect foodstuff and other items on credit.
“Life is now is biting hard on us as transportation fare has gone up and purchasing power of normal earning dwindle amid biting inflation occasioned by continued fall of Naira at the exchange market, yet these peanuts we getting have again been slashed by the Minister.”
Another worker added, “Our morale is low; the action of the minister has further increased our sufferings, imagine a slash in salaries when the price of almost all commodities has skyrocketed.”