The Anambra State Government has enforced salary deductions for civil servants who failed to report to duty on Mondays, following through on its earlier warning against compliance with the sit-at-home directive observed in parts of the South-East.
The decision, which took effect in February salaries paid in early March, has sparked complaints from affected workers, many of whom reported substantial reductions in their take-home pay. The enforcement marks a shift from verbal warnings to financial penalties as the state moves to curb absenteeism linked to the weekly protest order.
Civil servants at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat in Awka expressed frustration after receiving bank alerts reflecting significant deductions. Some workers claimed the cuts appeared disproportionate to the number of Mondays they were absent.
One staff member in the Ministry of Information, who spoke anonymously, said he received just N3,500 from a salary exceeding N80,000. According to him, another colleague reportedly received only N100 as net pay after deductions were applied. Others said they experienced cuts of up to N10,000, even when they allegedly missed work only once or twice.
The state government had earlier announced in January that it would adopt a pro-rata salary structure, deducting wages for each Monday a worker failed to report physically to duty. The measure was presented as part of efforts to restore full administrative operations and counter the economic and institutional impact of the sit-at-home compliance.
Confirming the development, Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, stated that the deductions were intentional and tied strictly to attendance verification records.
He explained that workers were required to clock in at the start of work and clock out at the end of the day every Monday. According to him, failure to complete both processes automatically indicated absence, regardless of whether a staff member was physically present.
The government maintains that the clock-in system was introduced to ensure accountability and provide verifiable proof of attendance. Officials argue that consistent absenteeism undermines governance delivery and weakens public sector productivity.
However, affected workers insist there may have been computational errors in applying the deductions. Some are calling for a review of the attendance logs and salary calculations to address what they describe as irregularities.
The sit-at-home order, originally enforced by separatist elements in the South-East, has had lingering effects on economic activities and public institutions in the region. While compliance has declined in some states, pockets of adherence remain, particularly among public servants concerned about security risks.
Policy analysts say Anambra’s strict enforcement strategy reflects a broader push by state authorities to normalize administrative operations and reduce economic losses. At the same time, labour observers warn that disputes over payroll deductions could trigger tensions if grievances are not transparently addressed.
The development places Anambra at the forefront of states adopting financial deterrence to combat sit-at-home absenteeism. Whether the measure will achieve sustained workplace compliance without escalating labour unrest remains to be seen.
