New National Minimum Wage : Gov AbdulRazaq’s Failure To Set A Deadline For Committee ‘Evidence Of Game Plan’-Kwara PDP

Kwara state PDP has alleged that  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s failure to  set a deadline for the Consequential Adjustment Committee on the N70,000 minimum wage that was inaugurated in Ilorin on Friday was evidence of a game plan.

‘This omission, our party believes will remind Kwarans of the governor’s tactics during his first term when the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage was delayed for over 3 years despite persistent agitation by labour unions’ the state publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara submitted in a statement he issued in Ilorin and made available to  Team@orientactualmags.com on Saturday.

The party questioned the governor’s true intentions and commitment to full and timely implementation of the new minimum wage law to all cadres of Kwara workforce, including the local government workers noting that the financial capacity of the state  has significantly improved, with monthly allocations now exceeding N7 billion aside from the monthly IGR.

‘Given this unprecedented increase in revenue, there is no justifiable reason for the governor to delay the full implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.

OUR CONCERNS*

1. Lack of Timeframe:

 By not providing the committee with a specific deadline, the governor has effectively ambushed the workers, who may now be forced to wait indefinitely, possibly until 2026 or 2027, for the committee’s report and subsequent implementation . 

2. Sincerity of Commitment:

 Governor AbdulRahman’s purported commitment to a living wage for Kwara workers is questionable. The governor’s intention appears to be to start payments only to lower cadre workers (Grade Level 1-6), who represent less than 6% of the  state’s workforce, while higher cadres are left in uncertainty. This approach undermines the spirit of true minimum wage law.

3. Historical Precedent of Gov AA

 Any attempt to repeat the N30,000 minimum wage scenario, where lower cadre workers earned more than their seniors, would devalue the new minimum wage. It is imperative that this implementation starts simultaneously for all cadres to ensure fairness and morale within the workforce

4. Transparency and Accountability:

 We challenge the government to publish the workforce strength under both the state and local government payrolls and to provide monthly reports of allocations received by Kwara. This transparency will ensure that committee members and the public have the necessary information to make informed decisions.

5. Increased Allocations:

With the unprecedented increase in monthly FAAC allocations, now exceeding N7 billion in some months, there should be no delay in the full and timely implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for all cadres of workers across the state.

6. Unfulfilled Otoge Promises: 

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq must fulfill the promises made to Kwara workers during the 2019 ‘Otoge’ campaigns, where salary issues were used as propaganda against the PDP administration. We look forward to Kwara  implementing salary structures  that will be more than Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Kogi state as promised.

In the light of these points, we urge Governor AbdulRazaq to prioritize the welfare of the workers who form the backbone of our state. The new minimum wage is not just a figure; it is a legal obligation and a moral one, especially considering the current economic hardships faced by many families in the state.

The welfare of workers should not be compromised or subjected to unnecessary adjustments when the resources to fulfill these obligations are readily available’ the party said-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