May Day 2024: Kwara NLC, TUC Call For Immediate Constitution Of Minimum Wage Committee

Labour union leaders in Kwara state  have urged the state government to quickly constitute the minimum wage committee ahead of the implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the state.

 

In their separate speeches during the May Day 2024  celebration at the state stadium, Ilorin on Wednesday, the  chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)  in the state, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka and his  Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Olufemi, however noted that gender should be considered while setting up the committee. 

Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka urged  Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to set an example as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum by implementing the federal government minimum wage once it is approved by the Federal Government. 

‘It is my pleasure to be part of this year May Day celebration which coincides 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 the Nigeria Governors’ Forum by implementing the federal government minimum wage when it is approved’ he said.

The labour union leader also enjoined the state government to continue to take intervention steps and take measures to ease things for the citizens.

Also speaking, the caretaker chairman of the state  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 nation’s president. 

‘The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration  has assured Nigerians particularly, the Nigerian workers that His Excellency is committed to the welfare of Nigerians, and that, has shown in his actions through the constitution of the National Minimum wage committee to look into the adjustment of workers’ salary 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. 

Your Excellency sir, permit me to acknowledge at this point your  commitment towards the welfare of Kwara state workers and your assurance and dedication to implementation of the New National Minimum Wage for Kwara state workers as at when due. 

To fast-track the process sir, we want to request for the composition of the state Minimum Wage Committee and their inauguration immediately before the pronouncement is made by the president , in line with the provision of the extant labour law, respective circular and responsibility of the state Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union side), urging the Government officials to fast -track the implementation of the new national minimum wage and the consequential adjustment for workers in the state’ he submitted.

 Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, in his May Day speech,  assured workers in the state that the state government will  implement a new minimum wage as soon as all processes are concluded. 

‘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. 

Today, as always, I send my fraternal greetings to all workers in Kwara state, especially all civil servants, on the occasion of the May Day celebration. 

Workers are an integral component of governance. They are the life-wire that drives governmental activities geared towards sustainable development. Today, we recognize the invaluable contributions of workers to the socioeconomic growth and development of our state.

It is almost a year that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy in the country. This important policy decision has had varying impacts on how we live and meet basic needs, and we are in it together. 

Amid other competing demands of public administration, infrastructural development, and keeping the fabrics of the society together, our administration has responded in various ways to mitigate the teething effects of the reforms.

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.

I thank the organized 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’ the governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Mahe AbdulKadir, submitted.

Dignitaries at the event include Head of Kwara state police Command, Mr Victor Olaiya, a Commissioner of Police, Deputy Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode and Hon AGF Salahudeen, who represents Omupo state constituency-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you