A Call On The Striking Workers

It is really disturbing that till date, labour has refused to see reason with the state government on the issue of the new minimum wage which has become an albatross not only on the necks of state governments across the federation but also on the neck of the federal government itself.

Against all appeals that they should be cognisant of the financial situation of the state and be patient with the government, workers still went on strike as a way of pressing home their demand for the full implementation of the new minimum wage as approved by the FG. The strike action which is entering its fifth week is what we see as counter-productive as it doesn’t augur well with the interest of the state.

Much as we recognise the right of workers to demand for higher pay and also their right to embark on strike to press home their demand as obtained in other climes of the world, we like to appeal to workers in the state to sheathe their sword in the interest of the state. Workers need to consider the reality on ground with respect to the state’s poor financial situation and be patient enough pending when the government will find it convenient to pay the new minimum wage across board and we believe that will not be farther than necessary because this is a government that is seriously concerned not only about workers’ welfare but also the welfare of the generality of the people in the state. Workers themselves can bear us witness in this regard considering what the government has recorded within this short spell in terms of achievement.

We like to stay categorically and without any fear of contradiction

that the government we have in place in the state now is

labour-friendly as the antecedent of the state’s chief helmsman speaks

volume in terms of protecting the interest of labour in the country

and fighting for common interest. He is not the one that will turn a

deaf ear to the plight of workers and this is evident in the way he

jerked up junior workers’ salaries with a thousand naira above the

approved N18,000 national minimum wage. This shows that Ogbeni Gomina

is not the type that will be reluctant to implement the national

minimum wage to the letter if the resources are available.

We all know the politics behind the minimum wage for which many

Nigerians have condemned the action of the federal government. It is

clear that President Jonathan only used the minimum wage issue as a

chicanery to win the April presidential election only for him to be

talking of inability of FG to pay across board again after the

elections. But it is too late for the FG to reverse since the

agreement had already been passed into law and it has no option than

to obey the law.

In point of fact, we identify with the plight of workers and we also

want to affirm that no amount could be regarded as too big to be paid

to the Nigerian worker considering the resources we have in this

country. But official corruption especially at the centre has denied

workers and the Nigerian people generally the right to live that

meaningful and comfortable life they actually deserve. The problem

confronting workers and the masses of this country goes beyond this

issue of minimum wage. Our lopsided federalism accounts for the main

reason why we are having all these problems. The time has come for all

well-meaning Nigerians and all the progressive forces in the land,

labour itself inclusive, to stand up now and push for true federalism,

for, that is the only way to address the problem of inadequacy of fund

confronting the states. There is too much money at the centre at the

detriment of the states.

In the light of the above and far from taking side with government, we

are using this medium to strongly appeal to workers to call off their

strike and cooperate with this administration so all the progressive

plans Ogbeni Gomina has for the state can be realised. This is a

government that has the interest of the people at heart and a lot to

offer the people in terms of democracy dividends. But the cooperation

of all and sundry is needed for government to achieve its goal.

We appreciate the diligence and the perseverance of workers in the

state and the Nigerian workers generally. Our prayer is that we shall

all reap the fruits of our labour in full-Amen. Osun a dara o!

–

It’s well!

Osun Defender