The Kwara State government has revealed that it is allocating the sum of N1,392,135,000 monthly for palliative payments to civil servants since the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
The statement comes in response to a 14-day ultimatum issued by organized labor, threatening industrial action if their demands are not met.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Communication, Mrs. Bola Olukoju, the government acknowledged the agitations for more welfare packages by the joint labor unions.
Olukoju clarified that, “since the removal of subsidy by the Federal Government, the administration has committed an additional N1,392,135,000.00 every month to payment of palliatives to the workers alone.”
Despite being among the third lowest recipients of federal allocations, the state government emphasized its prompt payment of salary and general welfare of workers.
Olukoju reassured the government’s dedication to workers’ welfare and the well-being of the people.
She highlighted the financial challenges faced by the government, stating that a significant portion of federal and local government allocations goes into paying workers’ salaries, leaving limited funds for developmental projects.
The government, she mentioned, often resorts to various financial strategies, including loans, to address infrastructure and development needs.
While urging labour unions to engage in dialogue, the government announced that the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mahe, has been tasked with initiating a new round of discussions with the unions.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, outlined several grievances, including non-implementation of wage awards, refusal to domesticate allowances, and outstanding arrears.
Olayinka emphasized the lack of positive response from the government despite multiple letters addressing workers’ demands.
What had happened
On Monday, organized Labour in Kwara State issued a two-week deadline to the state governor to commence negotiations on the N35,000 wage award for workers in line with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress.
The state chapter of the NLC, JNC, and TUC, which handed down the ultimatum on Monday in a statement issued by their chairmen, Comrade Muritala Shaheed, Comrade Saliu Suleiman, and Comrade Tunde Joseph, said the governor had remained incommunicado and refused to attend to “issues affecting both the formal and informal sectors, encompassing economic, psychological, physical, and moral aspects”.
The union leaders said despite multiple appeals and letters addressing the government regarding workers’ demands and observed shortcomings, there has been no positive response or attempt to rectify the identified issues.
Labour-friendly governor?
This strike threat is coming days after the NLC chairman Muritala commended the state governor for attending to workers’ welfare in a public event held at the state banquet hall in Ilorin.
In the short clip posted and sponsored on the Facebook page of the state government and well-circulated by government officials, the labour leader said the governor has been decorated as workers friendly.
He said, “We appreciate you for the prompt payment of salaries. We appreciate you for the promotion of workers; the backlogs of promotion. That is why you are given this fellow as a labour-friendly Governor.”
