Kwara State: NLC, Threatens To Embark On Strike

Organised labour under the aegis of Joint Kwara Labour Congress (JKLC) has threatened to embark on strike if the state government refuse to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage.

The organised unions which are made up of the of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC)made this stand during an emergency meeting which took place at the Labour House in Ilorin, the state capital

The Unions in a resolution at the end of its congress accused the government of not remitting union dues and third party deductions and other sundry allegations.

The resolution reads: “We observe that the state government after the negotiation of the new minimum wage has refused to sign the agreement for immediate implementation to all categories of workers in the state despite our several letters to this effect.

“The congress having critically analysed the economic implication of the present situation on the agreed minimum wage, therefore demands for immediate signing and implementation of the already agreed minimum wage for all categories of workers of the state as well as review of
the negotiated minimum wage by 50 percent for the state workers. “We note with dismay the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to the state ministry of finance to stop deductions and/ or remittance of union check-off dues and other third party deductions to the concerned unions and associations in the state. We therefore, urge the state government to reverse this directive and remit to all concerned industrial unions and associations all deducted dues without further delay.

“We also condemn in strong terms non-payment of COVID-19 allowances to the health workers at the frontline of battle against this pandemic in the state.

“It is on this note that the congress resolved that we should give the state government 14 days ultimatum effective from today Monday 28th, September to Monday 12th October, 2020 with which to resolve all our demands.