Just In: Labour, Kwara Government disagree over N25,000 flat rate for workers as minimum wage
Government willing to pay Level 1-6 ₦70,000, proposes ₦25,000 flat rate as consequential adjustment across other levels Level 1-6 not upto 5% in the civil service, State Government tricking workers, and reneging on agreement to pay ₦40,000 as consequential adjustment across levels
The Kwara State Government, led by Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has proposed ₦25,000 flat rate for workers above level 6 in the state as consequential adjustment on minimum wage. The State had earlier agreed with Labour Union to pay ₦40,000 as consequential adjustment across levels. Bearing in mind that State allocation has increased over 4 times under this present administration.
In three months, Kwara State Government has spent over *₦6 BILLION* in renovating Kwara Hotel, but evading responsibility on minimum wage payment, frustrating negotiations, exiting Joint Negotiation Committee; and recently returned to negotiation table after Labour resolution to embark on show down.
According to sources, the State Government communicated its proposal to the Joint State Committee on minimum wage today, proposing a flat rate of ₦25,000 across all levels, 7-14.
Workers in the State are now following leadership of the Labour Union closely if they will compromise and sacrifice them, or take a solid stand on their welfare; especially with the recent hike in petrol and inflation, which has been the worst ever in history.
Labour Union are implored to communicate government proposal to the public, as many States have approved ₦72,000 and ₦73,000 as minimum wage. While also warning that the State Government will pitch them against the workers they represent if care is not taken.
The workers are calling on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to show leadership, and be example to his colleagues as Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and stop frustrating the agreement signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), who has since appealed and persuaded the Governors to pay, and providing all necessary financial backing for them to meet their responsibility.
One of the efforts by the President is the release of over ₦50bn that accrued from Excess Crude Account during the administrations of Dr. Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed to the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration.
*Sulaiman Agbabiaka*