KWSG, Labour Union should find a common ground on Minimum Wage, Group appeals to both parties.
17th February, 2020.
Press release.
The People's Voice Advocacy Network
Wants to use this singular medium to appeal to the Kwara State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Joint Labour Unions to explore a give and take approach to the issue of Minimum wage which has been on the top burner among public issues that needs urgent solution.
Over time, we have watched the hitherto media tongue differences between the Joint Labour Unions and the Kwara State Government on the issue of Minimum wage as its bothers on the welfare of workers in the state. What is happening here in Kwara State is not new anywhere in the world. What is important right now is for the parties concerned to find a mutual way of addressing it in no time from now. It will bring no good if the both parties allow the rift to accumulate and degenerate beyond control.
First and foremost, we want to commend the action of the State Government on her sense of patriotism and maturity in achieving the first face of the negotiation which birthed the realisation of ₦30,000 minimum wage for level 1 to 6. This is an applaudable step towards reaching a common ground with the aggrieved Labour Unions. Though we have always maintained that no government can go below ₦30,000 as a minimum benchmark for salary payment because it is a law. And it is the rights of civil servants to make such demand as at when due.
On the other hand, the Apolitical group also wants to applaud the decision of the leadership of the Joint Labour Unions, particularly the Nigerians Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) kwara State Chapter, for deeming it proper to include some selected union bodies such as Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), that had been excluded from partaking in the minimum wage negotiations going by the prepared template presented by the Kwara State Government as at the initial point of the negotiation. They, the labour leaders, have indeed shown readiness to practise the doctrine of equity and equality with that singular action and the group wants to charge the government to throw the Idea of Excluding LG/SUBEB from agreement because such stance is allien in Nigeria.
As a civil organisation that we are, it is part of our core responsibilities to play a mediating role in issue like this without fear or favour. On this ground, the group wants to remind cum advise the Kwara State Government to appreciate the pivotal role of Civil Servants in the state in the electioneering struggle that produced the current administration under the leadership of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Against all odds, the workers in the state, put their employment in line just to see that a new government that will listen to their yearnings and aspirations is emerged.
The Kwara State Government should be reminded that the poor welfare package enjoyed by the civil servants in the state top the list of agitation of the Labour Union in the state which Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq led administration has not scored significant points to change the narrative even after 8-month in office. Needless to remind the Executive Governor that Labour Unions anywhere in the world are pressure groups with sole aim of pursuing the interest of their members. It is onus on the Government to negotiate, especially the consequential adjustments based on the availability of the resources and we hope a reasonable amount of money will reflect on 7 to 14 which is the most populated working force in both State and local Government.
We, as a civil organisation, deem it necessary at this point in time to charge the Kwara State Government to open its ambit and allow fellow Kwarans to know the state financial capacity. The chorus of 75% and 100% consistently claimed for the payment of State and LG/SUBEB salaries respectively after our critical financial diagnosis distances itself away from the reality. His Excellency should kindly embrace accuracy, transparency and accountability when playing with figures.
It is on this note, we are appealing to the state government and the leadership of Labour Unions to broker a negotiation that will subsequently lead to mutual agreement. To achieve that common ground, on no account should any member of the Labour unions be intimidated, suspended or sacked for hearing his view on the subject matter.
Thank you.
Signed:
Comrade Abulraheem Olaitan
The Assistant Publicity Secretary
The People's Voice Advocacy Network
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