The Kwara State Organized Labour has berated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulraszaq over refusal to approve minimum wage for workers in the state.
Recall that the bill for the minimum wage was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in April, 2019.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aliyu Ore and Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Joseph Tunde and the state Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Com. Salihu Otunba, which was made available to this medium on Thursday.
The statement reads โWe are worried concerning the insincerity of Kwara State government as regards the payment of minimum wage for workers.
“The Kwara State government despite inauguration of the minimum wage committee since December, 2019 shortly after the Federal Government approval had failed to actualize its implementation in the state.
According to the statement, about 94 percent of states in the federation have overcome the minimum wage issue and even introduced other welfare packages for their workers for efficient service delivery.
“It is worrisome that the government has shown nonchalant attitude despite the stable flow of federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue in the state.
“It’s sad to note that a year into the deliberation with the state government on approving the minimum wage to cushion the bad effect of COVID-19 relief to workers is yet to be sighted. It’s regrettable that the government took the organised labour to Court for trivial issue that can be amicably resolved within the internal mechanism.
The statement also rejected any attempt to smuggle into the discussion table presented at the Head of Service office that was not agreed on the labour side on payment of little amount on the consolidated adjustment for Grade 7 and above in the state and will not be accepted by the movement.
The statement further called on workers to pray fervently against forces that is preventing the Governor from assenting to the minimum wage in the state.
