By Dare Akogun
Kwara workers, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have called on the state government to swiftly establish a minimum wage committee to facilitate the implementation of a new wage structure for workers.
During the May Day celebration in Ilorin, the NLC chairman, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Olufemi, emphasized the importance of gender inclusivity in the committee’s composition.
“It is my pleasure to be part of this year 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 minimum wage committee which will take cognizance of gender.
“We want to use this forum to appeal to your Excellency to set an example as a Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum by implementing the federal government minimum wage when it is passed into law,” Comrade Olayinka said.
Comrade Olufemi in his address said, “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.
“Your Excellency sir, permit me to acknowledge at this point your excellency commitment towards the welfare of Kwara State workers and your assurance and dedications towards implementation of the New National Minimum Wage to Kwara state workers as at when due.
They urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to prioritize the implementation of the federal government’s minimum wage once it becomes law.
The workers also appealed to the state government to provide palliatives to the citizens of Kwara to alleviate their economic challenges.
In response, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq assured the workers of his administration’s commitment to implementing another minimum wage once all necessary processes are completed.
The Governor in his May Day message acknowledged the invaluable contributions of workers to the state’s socioeconomic development and pledged to continue reviewing policies to address their needs effectively.
“We have introduced a monthly transport support, otherwise known as wage award, staggered working days, and implemented various promotion and other welfare packages that are meant to strengthen the spending powers of the workers. We have similarly rolled out different layers of support to the general public in our holistic approach to lessen the impacts of the reforms.
“We will continue to review our responses within current realities, including the implementation of another minimum wage as soon as all processes have been concluded.
“As our country courageously navigates the post-subsidy challenges, we acknowledge the fact that we have a responsibility to provide good and sustainable governance to the people of Kwara, and we are committed to always remain true to the oath we have sworn to protect the people,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude to the organized labour and workers for their support and resilience, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to providing good governance and sustaining development in Kwara State.
“I thank the organised labour and our workers in Kwara State for their support, understanding, and resilience. I appreciate their bold embrace of the future with hope, even as they diligently contribute positively to the development of our state. We do not take that for granted”.
