By Our Correspondent in Ilorin
As Nigerians sigh a relief on the suspension of the planned nationwide strike by the organised labour, the Kwara State Chapter of the organised labour has given the state government 14-day ultimatum to start the implementation of the new minimum wage or face strike.
The union made this known in a statement signed by its leaders in the state, Issa Ore, state NLC chairman, Ezekiel Adegoke, acting TUC chairman and Saliu Suleiman, chairman State Joint National Council and made available to Journalists in Ilorin on Monday.
The organised labour said: “We observe that the state government, after the conclusion of the negotiation of the new minimum wage, has refused to sign the agreement for immediate implementation to all categories of Workers of this state.
“This is despite our several letters to this effect which were not properly responded to by the state government.
“Having critically analyzed the economic implication of the present situation on the agreed minimum wage,we therefore demand for immediate signing and implementation of the already agreed minimum wage for all categories of workers of the state.
“We also demand for upward review of the negotiated minimum wage by 50% for kwara workers.”
The organised labour noted with dismay the directive of Governor AbdulRazaq to the Ministry of Finance to stop deduction and remittance of Union check-off dues and other third party deductions to the concerned unions and associations in the state.
According to the labour, the deduction of check-off dues is a statutory obligation of every employer of labour where union operates.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other unions therefore urged Governor AbdulRazaq to reverse the directive and start remitting to all concerned industrial unions and associations, without further delay.
The labour also called on the AbdulRazaq to pay hazard allowance to the state health workers in frontline of battle against COVID-19.
They also cautioned the Governor not to cause salary disparity among workers in health sectors in the state and local government but approve 10 per cent outstanding CONHESS to local government workers as he did for state workers.
Other demands of the labour union are: “payment of pension arrears of 2015 to 2019, payment of salary increase harmonization in 2010 implemented for state pensioners since 2011 where implementation for local government pensioners is still hanging.
The labour also demanded for the payment of gratuity of retired workers since 2014 and 2008 for state and LG retirees respectively.
The union, however, said failure to yield to their demands would lead to industrial action in the state.
Reacting to the union’s demands in a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, appealed to the union to show understanding on the issue.
He said:”First and foremost, the Kwara State Government and labour unions have enjoyed a very cordial relationship for the past one year.
“That relationship has been based on mutual understanding and mutual show of good faith, and to that extent I want to say that negotiations are ongoing and both sides are showing good faith and understanding.
“That fine relationship will continue and I can assure you that, there would not be any need for the unions to proceed on any industrial action.
“We commend them for their patience and for their understanding.
” We are showing good faith as a government, as we also commend labour unions in the state and the entire workforce in the state.
“Very soon, there will be some pronouncements on the minimum wage.”
