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Abdulrazaq begs as workers insist on N30, 000 minimum wage
By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has sought workers understanding with over implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage by his administration.
Governor Abdulrazaq spoke in Ilorin at the 2021 commemoration of the annual May Day.
He also reassured Kwara workers of his administration’s commitment to improving their well-being despite the dwindling revenue amid the impact of the covid 19 pandemics.
Represented by Head of Service (HoS) Mrs. Susan Oluwole, he said: “I understand the position of labour, particularly regarding the minimum wage.
“I assure you all that we certainly do not overlook these issues and we are considering all positive options to further make our workers happy.
“I call for your understanding and support for us to get through this hard time.”
But the labour movement urged the government to resume dialogue on the vexed issue of minimum wage yet to be implemented by the state.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) Kwara chief: Akinsola Akinwunmi said: “We shall continue to strive with resilience by constructively engaging the relevant organs of government until our demands are met.
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“Therefore, I call on the governor to toe the path of history by bringing back the minimum wage issue where it has been kept to hibernate and let us quickly resume discussions and implementation of the wage bill within the shortest possible time.
“Our endurance, long-suffering and sacrificial spirits should no longer be taken for granted.”
His Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) counterpart Issa Ore accused the administration of frustrating efforts at negotiation and immediate approval for the implementation of the minimum wage.
Comrade Ore added: “The state government has been playing antics with the minimum wage in the media and feeding the general public with wrong information on the issue.
“But we are convinced that the monthly allocation and state internally generated revenue can conveniently implement the wage and attend to infrastructural needs of the state.”