Anambra Govt to deduct workers’ salaries over Monday sit-at-home

The Anambra State Government has announced that salaries of civil servants will be paid on a pro-rata basis starting February 2026, as part of measures to end the Monday sit-at-home enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed this on Saturday in Awka, saying the decision was taken during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council.

According to Mefor, the pro-rata calculation will be based on 24 working days in a month. Civil servants who report to work on Mondays will earn full pay for the day, while absentees will have their salaries adjusted accordingly.

“The thing has to be done. Four years is enough. The economic loss of the sit-at-home runs into trillions since it started, according to an international firm,” Mefor said.

The retreat, held to review the outgoing administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and prepare for the new term commencing March 17, 2026, noted that in past years, civil servants did not report to work on Mondays due to insecurity and lack of transport. However, Mefor said these factors are no longer valid reasons for absenteeism.

“The workers were simply enjoying the sit-at-home because they knew they would be paid,” he added.

Mefor explained that while absenteeism could ordinarily attract dismissal under civil service law, the government opted for pro-rata payment to encourage workers to resume duties on Mondays. Attendance will be monitored through forms for clocking in and out.

He also highlighted the economic impact of absenteeism, saying, “Any day civil servants fail to come to work, it means that the state government’s business will stagnate, and by implication, the economy of the state will stagnate. Income accruable to the government will be lost.”

Mefor added that the state is also engaging market leaders to encourage traders to open on Mondays and is boosting security to increase confidence for legitimate business activities.

“The pro-rata payment ensures fairness and efficiency, and signals that the government will not yield to whoever introduced the sit-at-home,” he said.