Organised Labour in Kwara State has declared it would kickstart its planned strike from tomorrow, October 13 as it failed to strike a common ground with the state government on the issue of minimum wage.
The minimum wage act, which puts minimum wage at N30,000, was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, and is binding on all states in Nigeria.
The Union vows to seriously deal with erring ministries and offices, ordering workers to remain at home as from tomorrow.
This much was contained in a release issued by State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Aliyu Issa Ore, Ag State Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ezekiel Adegoke and State Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC-TUS), Saliu Suleiman.
It reads: “This is to inform all workers in the State Public Service and the Local Governments that at the close of work Today, Monday 12th October, 2020, if the Kwara State Government fails to meet the demands of the workers which include the signing and implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000 to all categories of workers of the State and Local Government as well as penioners in the state and Local Government, all workers should as from tomorrow Tuesday 13th october, 2020 commence industrial action.
“Every worker should remain at home as any any ministry or offices will be seriously dealt with.
“No worker should come to the work until they were directed by the leadership of the labour movement.
“We will make sure that nobody is victimized or harrassed by government in this respect.”
The government, meanwhile, has consistently pleaded with the Labour to understand the situation on ground, stating that the local government lacks the financial wherewithal to stay afloat in the payment of the minimum wage.
It argues that a larger percentage of the state revenue is used to pay workers, noting that local authorities might resort to borrowing in the nearest future to pay the new minimum wage.