The KW-IRS Unit of the Association Of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has rejected the upward review of salaries of staff of the Agency, noting that it was a unilateral decision of the Management and does not align with the salary scales of sister revenue agencies in other states.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of KW-IRS unit of ASCSN, Ahmad Salman Dayo, the Union said the ‘unilaterally’ adopted salary scale for junior staff, announced by the KW-IRS Management on 7th of October 2022, via a virtual field feedback held at about 10:00am is not acceptable as it is against the spirit of ongoing negotiations between the Union and the Management.
The statement partly reads “On the 17th of August, 2022, at about 4:00pm, the Staff held a Congress where 5man committee on Salary review was constituted to work with the Union on proposed Salary scale for Staff and communicated same to the Managament With a five (5) days Ultimatum for the latter to consider same. This assignement was carried out perfectly.
“On Thursday, the 25th of August 2022 at about 3:30pm, before the Ultimatum issued against the Management lapsed, a meeting was conveyed at the Instance of the Management for the purpose of salary review, comprising the Management Team, The Union executive and the adhoc 5man committee nominated through the Congress.
“The Union presented copy of her proposed Salary review Scale to the Management and after serious deliberation. The Executive Chairman of the KW-IRS resolved that The Union executive should meet with Diretor Admin and Operation and Head HR to work on a reasonable Salary Scale to all Staff.
“Several correspondences was exchanged with Management over this issue as stated in paragraph (3)but the usual response was that:” Management is working on the Salary Scale.
“The Union becomes skeptical about this development, because we were put in the dark as to what percentage or Scale Management is purportedly working on.
“On the 29th September, 2022, at about 10:30am the Director AOP and Head of HR called the Union to meeting, where we were presented with a proposed Salary review scale Unilaterally prepared by the Management. They included that if the Union agree, it will hasten up implementation. We asked for Stand-down of the meeting to consider the table thoruoghly.
“On the same date, we call on 5man committee on Salary review nominated by by the Congress to consider the proposed percentage of the Salary scale presented by the Management. After going back and for forth. It was resolved that the proposed percentage used by the Management is not acceptable to Staff.
“Moreso, At about 3:00pm of the 29th September, 2022 we reconveyed with the Director AOP, Head HR and communicated the Staff refusal of the proposed percentage of salary review scale Unilateraly adopted by the Management. And Union re- presented another proposed Salary increment table lower than what we presented inititially, for Management consideration, so as to meet at point of equilibirum.
“However, On Friday the 7th of October 2022, Management announced the proposed Unilaterally adopted Salary review scale as Compensation to Junior Staff via a Vitual field feedback held at about 10:00am.
“All efforts by the Union to make the Management see the reason for proposed Increment to be reasonable and stand the test of time proves abortive.
“Union also made effort to see if a valid agreement could be reached, so that we can have something to rely on in future, incase we need to agitate for more, if this is what the Management budgetted for now, it also proves abortive.
“Finally, Staff of KW- IRS have no gratuities at moment, so her salaries cannot be justified with Ministry. It is justifiable if we are being compared with our Sisters revenue agencies.
“On 7th, of October, 2022, the Union held Congress at about 4:00pm to further brief the general Staff of all effort Union had put In place with respect to the Salary review issue. The Congress unianimously kicked against it and did not accept the percentage Unilaterally imposed by the Management and reached some resolutions which is Valid and Potent Up till this moment.
“KW-IRS Staff are among the most decorous Staff in the committy of agency not only in Kwara State but also In Nigeria”, the statement concluded.
KW-IRS threatens staff to avert protest
Sensing possible shut down of operations of the KW-IRS by the aggrieved staff, Management of the Agency has swiftly moved to desperately halt the planned demonstration by the workers.
In an email sent to staff of KW-IRS earlier today by the Human Resource Department, with the subject “Planned Protest by the KW-IRS Unit of ASCSN”, KW-IRS Management said it is aware of ASCSN’s intention to conduct a match to Kwara state Government House in agitation for salary increment.
The Management however said it is surprising, as the news of latest salary increase was communicated to all staff at a virtual meeting/feedback session held on Friday October 7, 2022, which is expected to be paid by the end of this month.
In another twist by the Management to stop the protest, a virtual circular cited by Fresh Insight, signed by the
Director, Admin and Operations, Olatunji Balogun mandated all staff of KW-IRS to sign attendance register by 8am tomorrow (11th October, 2022)
“Dear all, Kindly be informed that all Heads of Departments (excluding Area Coordinators) are to visit Human Resources Department latest by 8am tomorrow 11th October, 2022 to pick up the attendance register for their departments. Thank you”, the circular reads.
No going back, says KW-IRS staff Union
Despite the threat and tactics by the KW-IRS Management to halt the planned demonstrations by its staff, the staff Union insists it is proceeding with the protest.
According to a message by the ASCSN Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, which was exclusively obtained by Fresh Insight, the Union direct all its member to converge at KW-IRS head office at an undisclosed time.
The statement said “Dear esteem members, kindly appear to the office in your usual official dressings tomorrow but come along with your *Crested Vests*.
“We shall converge at the Head Office Phase 1 at a time that would be communicated as event unfolds before we embark on the peaceful- solidarity trek.”
Also speaking to Fresh Insight on condition of anonymity, a source within the Union said the Management of KW-IRS is only clever by half by trying to outsmart and shortchange the staff, noting that such cunning attempt will not be allowed to stand.
He said “The KW-IRS policy mandates review of staff salaries every 4 years. Those at the upper ladder in KW-IRS enjoy bogus salaries as a result, while we lower cadre who do bulk of the jobs are left with paltry take home.
“Our staff are resigning for other state’s revenue agencies and they are getting more attractive pay, even when those sister revenue agencies’ collections are far below what KW-IRS is generating.”
Fresh Insight learnt that the KW-IRS staff Union had informed the Police of their planned demonstration, while the Management of the Agency was also said to have reported some arrowheads of the Union to the Police for inciting staff against them.
As at the time of filing this report however, the outcome of the meeting between the Police and the parties is yet unknown.
