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COVID-19: What employers, employees should do


Presently, many companies are counting their loses as a result of the economic hardship imposed on them by the Coronavirus pandemic that is still ravaging the globe.

With businesses grounded, the way out for many companies is to lay off staff (which numerous companies have already started doing since coming to terms with realities of the pandemic).

Until two days ago (on Monday, May 4, 2020), Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were on total lockdown, safe for those offering essential services.

As a result, staffers were rendered redundant at home and even had the "temerity" to expect salaries from their offices that were closed down since March 30, 2020 and could not generate incomes.

Nevertheless, the partial relaxation of the lockdown on the three aforementioned states, whether ill-advised or not, gives a breather to many businesses and hope that things will return to normal in due time.

However, pending when businesses resume in full swing, workers are the worse off, as those in the lower cadre of society are bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

As a result, the companies still managing to generate incomes should rather review salaries of workers downward, instead of laying them off.

It is double jeopardy for a worker locked down at home to open his email only to receive a sack letter from his employer (some even do that through text messages).

On the other hand, employees should be willing to take even if it is 50% cut in their salaries; in order for the companies they are working for to stay afloat in business.

It is heartwarming that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that no worker will be sacked "without due process". However, this may not be possible in the private sector, where companies are still groaning under the 7.5% VAT imposed on them by government; without as much as a review even at this critical period.

Again, this is also the time for many workers to consider being self employed and embracing different sources of income.

For what it is worth, the Coronavirus will be with us for a long time to come and those who survive it will have different stories of economic hardship to tell to their children.

Therefore, as we continue coming to terms with realities of the pandemic, both employers and employees should have a meeting ground in considering and accepting a pay cut, in order to stay afloat.

It then behoves on the employee to resign with dignity if the reviewed pay cannot take him home. With the employment situation in the country at the moment, I don't think resignation is an option to many, except those with enough capital to go into self employment.

Paul Okah is an Abuja based journalist, blogger and Vox Pop Editor for Blueprint Newspapers.

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