By Iliya Kure
Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab has advised workers in the State not to be quick in celebrating the four day working week policy announced by government until they understand clearly the whole package.
In a statement on Tuesday, Rev. Hayap expressed doubt on rationale of the policy in view of hardship residents have been subjected to by present administration in the state.
“On the surface, this may appear reasonable, however looking at the hardship the citizens of Kaduna state have been subjected to by this government through some of its unpopular policies, one begin to wonder how such policy can be of benefit to workers who are struggling hard to make ends meet.
“I advise civil servants in Kaduna state not to celebrate this policy yet until they are convinced that there is no hidden agenda behind it.
He tasked them to check and be sure that the “government will not wake up one day with another shocking news of salary reduction since the five day working days have been reduced to four.”
Going further Rev Hayab asks, “What economic value will this “Greek gift” add to workers?”
According to him, the CAN Kaduna state will continue to play its role of prayers and “support good policies of the government aimed at improving the lives of citizens.”
He said they “shall continue to speak out on policies that appear not to be in the best interest of the people.”
Rev. Hayab also called on Kaduna State House of Assembly “to be on the side of the people and distance themselves from unpopular policies that bring pain and hardship.”
Read the statement in full below
On Monday, the Kaduna state government announced that it will commence transition to four- day working week for civil servants in the state.
The government, in justifying this seeming innocuous decision, maintained that the policy is to “boost productivity, improve work-life balance and enable workers to have more time for their families, for rest and for agriculture.”
On the surface, this may appear reasonable, however looking at the hardship the citizens of Kaduna state have been subjected to by this government through some of its unpopular policies, one begin to wonder how such policy can be of benefit to workers who are struggling hard to make ends meet.
I advise civil servants in Kaduna state not to celebrate this policy yet until they are convinced that there is no hidden agenda behind it.
Workers must be sure that the policy is not aimed at reducing their salaries.
They must be convinced that they government will not wake up one day with another shocking news of salary reduction since the five day working days have been reduced to four.
Kaduna workers should also pray fervently that there wouldn’t be another mass sack before the end of this administration which has brought so much pain and hardship.
How can a state that is not secured talk about giving workers time for agriculture and be with family when bandits move about freely, terrorising people in their homes, on the farms and on the highways!
How can one spend time with family when you have nothing to feed them or provide for their basic needs?
What Kaduna people truly need from the El-Rufai government is a holistic and honest effort to address insecurity, a true sense of democratic principles of governance with less propaganda.
What economic value will this “Greek gift” add to workers?
CAN Kaduna state will continue to pray and support good policies of the government aimed at improving the lives of citizens.
We shall continue to speak out on policies that appear not to be in the best interest of the people.
CAN Kaduna state is appealing to members of Kaduna State House of Assembly to be on the side of the people and distance themselves from unpopular policies that bring pain and hardship.
Signed:
Rev. Joseph John Hayab
Chairman
CAN Kaduna State.
