Kwara: Organized Labour seeks salary increment

The organized labour in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria has called for the approval and implementation of a 40 percent increase in the salaries of workers under the employment of the state and local governments as recently effected for workers in the federal service.

The state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muritala Olayinka, made the call at the event commemorating this year’s workers’ day held at Metropolitan Square Complex, Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin

He appealed that the implementation of the increment in the take home pay should take effect from January 1st, 2023.

The state NLC Chairman recalled that the federal government effected 40 percent increment in salaries of its workers from Grade Level 01 to 17 with effect from January 1st, 2023, saying that the same should be replicated for Kwara workers considering their contributions to the socio-economic growth and development of the state.

Olayinka also appealed for the implementation of 65 years retirement age for teachers in the state, saying that about 14 states had approved it for teachers in their respective states.

He also called for the appointment of Senior Principals and Head Teachers of public schools as Tutor-General and Head Masters General through an executive bill to the state House of Assembly and added that it would place them equivalent to the Permanent Secretaries as practised in many states of the federation.

The NLC Chairman urged the state government to expedite action on the implementation of the consequential adjustment component of the minimum wage to pensioners in the state and local government to keep them abreast with the serving workers in the two tiers of government.

Olayinka pleaded with the state government to consider local government staff for the position of permanent secretaries, pointing out that a number of their colleagues in the neighbouring states of Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos had been elevated to permanent secretaries and later rose to the position of Head of Service.

He, however, applauded the state government for the prompt payment of salaries to all categories of workers and pensioners, regular promotion of workers, provision of a harmonious and conducive environment for the citizenry and people-oriented programmes that culminated in the re-election of Governor AbdulRazaq for second term in office.

The state Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Joseph Tunde, assured that the leadership of the organized labour in the state would not rest on its oars in pursuance of issues of the welfare of its members.

Governor Abdulrazaq Lauds Workers

For his part, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers and protect the interest of labour unions in the state, acknowledging their support before and during the last general elections.

He congratulated the Nigerian workers and labour leaders on the celebration of May Day, a day AbdulRazaq said is “Grounded in the progressive and noble values of the global workforce, including in Nigeria.

“Great workers, this administration is your own and it will always be your own. We owe our recent election victory to God Almighty, to you the great workers and to all of the people of our state who stood for the collective aspirations to place Kwara on a path of steady, inclusive growth and collective prosperity that we represent

“I thank you very much. I reassure you that we will not drop the ball. We will continue to prioritise your welfare while also creating an environment for collective growth.”

AbdulRazaq pledged to maximise the gains of the last four years through implementation of various programmes and policies, saying the workers would always be needed for the success of such steps.

“Our agenda is to consolidate on the successes of the last four years through continuous infrastructural renewal, easing of the business climate, expansion of our economic base through support for macro and microeconomic activities, especially small and medium scale enterprises, general industrial growth, growing internal revenue, improving the regime of transparency and accountability, agricultural development, combating environmental and climate crisis such as flooding, and strengthening rule of law, peace and security in the state. We cannot do this without the support of workers

“I acknowledge the fact that trade unions are important pillars of any democratic society. You are always key to the wider struggles for universal human rights and welfare of your members. Kwara State is known for industrial harmony and we will do our best to keep it that way within the resources available to us. Let us keep being friends and allies in our collective drive for a better Kwara.

“I am similarly appealing to the Labour unions across Nigeria to work for a seamless transition of government following the recent election cycle from which different political parties have been pronounced winners of different offices. I am not just asking you to support our government in Kwara; I am especially enjoining you to give your full support to the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Comrade Olayinka, commended the Governor for giving the welfare of workers and pensioners a top priority, including prompt payment of workers’ salaries and their promotion as and when due.

He saluted the entire workforce for working tirelessly in creating the wealth of the state, acknowledging the important roles the labour movement is playing to strengthen the local economy.

Olayinka requested the government to urgently address pending issues concerning workers’ welfare across different subsectors of the economy.

The State TUC Chairman, Comrade Tunde, acknowledged AbdulRazaq’s giant strides in infrastructure development and workers’ welfare, and tasked the Governor to do more in the new dispensation.

The Governor attended the event alongside Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi; Head of Service, Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; cabinet members; and Commissioner of Polic , Paul Odama; Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Issa Aremu.

Several serving and former labour leaders also attended the celebration.