The Anambra salary deductions imposed on public servants have generated widespread dissatisfaction across ministries and agencies, following the payment of February wages under a new pro-rata policy.
Several civil servants have complained that the reductions were excessive and, in some cases, inconsistent with the number of days they were absent from duty.
The controversy stems from a directive by the Anambra State Government to end compliance with the long-running Monday sit-at-home order previously associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra.
As part of efforts to restore normal work routines, the state introduced a policy stating that salaries would be calculated strictly based on days worked, effective February 2026.
The administration also formally declared that the protest action was no longer recognised within the state.
Under the new framework, workers were required to report physically to their offices every Monday and to register their presence through an electronic clock-in and clock-out system.
Government officials explained that this measure was designed to provide verifiable proof of attendance and ensure transparency in wage computation.
However, the implementation of the policy has led to unexpected outcomes for many employees.
At the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat in Awka, frustration was evident as staff members compared salary alerts and discovered significant reductions.
Some workers said their February earnings were slashed far beyond what they anticipated, given the number of Mondays they missed.
The situation has since fueled conversations across departments, with affected employees calling for an urgent review.
One civil servant, who requested anonymity to avoid possible disciplinary consequences, revealed that a colleague received just ₦10,000 after deductions were applied.
Another employee in the Ministry of Information disclosed that he was paid only ₦3,500 out of a monthly salary exceeding ₦80,000.
According to him, while workers were aware that absences could attract penalties under the pro-rata arrangement, the magnitude of the Anambra salary deductions did not align with expectations.
He explained that some staff members who missed only one or two Mondays experienced unusually steep cuts.
“The figures do not correspond with the number of days absent,” he said, suggesting that there may have been errors in the payroll computation process.
Several others echoed similar concerns, describing the situation as confusing and financially distressing.
Another affected worker expressed shock upon discovering that more than ₦80,000 had been removed from his pay for failing to report to duty on two Mondays.
He insisted that such an amount exceeded what should have been deducted under a proportional salary formula.
For him and others in similar circumstances, the issue is not merely about discipline but about fairness and accurate accounting.
In response to the uproar, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, defended the government’s stance.
He confirmed that the Anambra salary deductions were intentional and constituted a disciplinary measure for non-compliance with the Monday attendance directive.
According to him, the government had clearly instructed workers to clock in upon arrival and clock out at the close of work as evidence of presence.
He emphasized that any employee who failed to follow this procedure, even if physically present at the workplace, would be recorded as absent due to lack of documentation.
“Without proper clock-in and clock-out records, there is no proof of attendance,” he stated.
The commissioner maintained that the state’s objective is to enforce accountability and discourage continued observance of the sit-at-home practice.
The government views the salary policy as one of its strongest administrative interventions to normalize operations in the state’s public service.
Officials argue that restoring full productivity on Mondays is essential for economic stability and public confidence.
They also insist that the enforcement mechanism is necessary to demonstrate that the state will no longer tolerate disruptions to official schedules.
Nonetheless, the backlash has drawn attention to potential administrative lapses.
Labour observers note that accurate payroll management is crucial when implementing a pro-rata system, especially in a politically sensitive context.
Any perceived miscalculation could undermine trust and provoke further tension between workers and authorities.
For many civil servants, the controversy highlights the delicate balance between enforcing discipline and ensuring equitable treatment.
While few openly challenge the government’s authority to penalize absenteeism, many argue that the Anambra salary deductions should reflect transparent and verifiable calculations.
Calls for an internal audit or reconciliation of payroll records have grown louder in recent days.
As discussions continue, the development underscores broader efforts by the Anambra State Government to assert control over public service operations.
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