Kwara State Joint Labour Congress (JNC) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government over its alleged refusal to honour/ implement a written and gentleman’s agreement it entered with the labour.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in the state, Muritala Saheed, hinted that the ultimatum was effective from Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
The labour leaders at the event included state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tunde Joseph, and the state chairman of JNC, Saliu Suleiman.
He said: “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 formal and informal sectors of our state, economically, psychologically, physically and morally.
“On several occasions, both NLC and TUC of this dear state had written to the government on the demands of workers and observed ills in our state. Unfortunately, there was no change or attempt to address issues raised in our letters.”
He listed their demands to include non-implementation of N35,000 Wage Award for all categories of workers in Kwara following fuel subsidy removal and refusal to domesticate and implement 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance as approved and provided for by the Federal Government.
“Non-payment of Consequential Adjustment to pensioners since the approval of the new minimum wage in 2019; unwillingness to pay local council workers’ outstanding arrears and outstanding arrears of promotion for 2020, 2021 and 2022; non-implementation of 100 per cent CONHESS and 100 per cent Hazard Allowance for health workers at local council level; inadequate funding of our state-owned tertiary institutions; non-implementation of 100 per cent CONPASS and CONTEDISS for our state-owned tertiary institution workers; and lack of willingness to absorb and proper placement of Kwara Hotel Workers without any condition,” he stated.
He also mentioned proper placement of the redeployed Kwara Water Corporation Staff into the service of Kwara Core Civil Service, as reasons for the intended industrial action.
He, however, noted that Organised Labour in Kwara was constrained by the refusal of the state government to heed to its demands. “This raised fear for industrial peace and harmony,” he said.
