On Monday the Kogi State Government has appealed to civil servants in the state to exercise patience over the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.
Mrs. Hannah Onyinoyi-Odiyo, state’s Head of Service (HOS), made the appeal in a statement on Monday.
Recall that the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had threatened to go on strike if the minimum wage was not implemented.
They also gave the government a two-week ultimatum to implement the minimum wage.
Speaking at a press briefing, NLC Chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka, said, “all affiliates of the NLC in the state had given their commitments to fully mobilise their members for the industrial actions in protest over the non implementation of the minimum wage.”
But Onyinoyi-Odiyo said the threat to go on strike was “very unnecessary” and “uncalled for”, adding that the Minimum Wage Committee set up by the state government was not stalled as alleged.
She further stated that the committee had concluded its assignment before the end of 2021 and had submitted it to the Governor, Yahaya Bello.
“The report is currently receiving government’s attention and the leadership of the organized labour in the state is aware of this development.
“As such, a warning letter for an impending strike is uncalled for at this point.
“I hereby reiterate that the welfare of workers remains a priority to the government,” she affirmed.
Onyinoyi-Odiyo added, “I plead that the truth should be told at all times so as to maintain the harmonious relationship between the organized labour and the state government.
”A little more patience is what is needed so that the efforts that had been put into the negotiation process by both parties so far will not be jeopardized.”
