Public workers in Kwara, under the aegis of the Joint Kwara Labour Congress, have issued 14 days ultimatum to the state government over alleged refusal of the government to honour/ implement written and gentleman’s agreement it entered into with the labour union.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the labour leaders in the state, led by the state chairman, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muritala Saheed, said that the ultimatum to the state government is effective from Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Other labour leaders at the event included state chairman of the TUC, Comrade Tunde Joseph, the state chairman of the JNC, Comrade Saliu Suleiman, among others.
“Dear Comrades, we are constrained to address this press conference having observed that our dear state is falling apart and the body language of our government does not suit the purpose of mending the cracks.
“These cracks cut across both formal and informal sectors of our State economically, psychologically, physically and morally.
“On several occasions, both Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of this dear State have written government demands of workers and observed ills in our State. Unfortunately, there was no change or attempt to address the issues raised in our letters.
“As we speak today, all industrial Unions in the State have one demand or another that requires government attention, this is not forthcoming as the government has remained invisible/incommunicado.
“Most pathetic is the fact that Government of our dear state has refused to honour/implement all written and gentleman’s agreements it entered into with labour.
Among these are:
1. Non-implementation of N35,000 Wage Award for all categories of Workers in Kwara State following fuel subsidy removal.
2. Refusal to domesticate and implement 40% peculiar allowance as approved and provided for by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
3. Non-payment of Consequential adjustment to pensioners since
the approval of the current New Minimum Wage in 2019.
4. Lack of willingness to pay Local Government Workers Outstanding
Arrears.
5. Outstanding Arrears of promotion for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
6. Non-implementation of 100% CONHESS and 100% Hazard Allowance for Health Workers at Local Government Level.
7. Inadequate funding of our State-owned Tertiary institutions.
8. Non-implementation of 100% CONPASS and CONTEDISS for our
State-owned Tertiary Institution Workers.
9. Lack of willingness to absorb and proper placement of Kwara Hotel Workers without any condition.
10. Proper placement of the redeployed Kwara Water Corporation Staff into the Service of Kwara Core Civil Service.
The Organised Labour in Kwara is constrained given the blatant refusal of the state government to heed these demands by Workers of Kwara State and this raised fear for industrial peace and harmony.
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