By Ahmed Ajikobi
Workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kwara state, have called on the state government to quickly constitute the minimum wage committee towards the implementation of a new minimum wage for workers.
Speaking at the May Day celebration in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Wednesday, the NLC chairman, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Olufemi, said that the committee, when set up, should take cognisance of gender.
The state NLC chairman appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to set an example as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum by implementing the federal government minimum wage when it is passed into law.
“It is my pleasure to be part of this year’s May Day celebration, which
coincide with the year of minimum wage implementation. Therefore, I urge the government to quickly constitute the Minimum Wage Committee, as we will continue to do our best to face and address every challenge that comes our way in the course of discharging our legitimate duties in line with the mandate given to us.
“We once again want to urge the state government to constitute a minimum wage committee that will take cognizance of gender.
“We want to use this forum to appeal to your Excellency to set an example as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum by implementing the federal government minimum wage when it is passed into law.”.
The workers also enjoined the state government to continue to make an intervention movement by
providing palliatives to the citizens of Kwara State.
Also speaking, the state caretaker chairman of the TUC, Comrade Olufemi, asked the state government to form the state Minimum Wage Committee and inaugurate the committee immediately before the pronouncement on the minimum wage by the president of the country.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians, particularly, the Nigerian workers, that His Excellency is committed to the welfare of Nigerians, and that, has been shown in his actions by the constitution of the National Minimum Wage Committee to look into the adjustment of workers’ salaries in the country”.
“Trade Union Congress, Kwara State Council, in line with the National Headquarters, believe
that the committees will look into economic indices and give Nigerian workers an enhanced minimum wage package as presented by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria at the ongoing minimum wage committee level.
