Workers of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) on Thursday, trooped out in their large numbers to protest their exclusion from payment of the new minimum wage.
The protesters who shut offices, protested against what they described as the contrast between the lavish compensation of senior executives and the meagre wages of junior staff in the establishment.
The ODIRS staff who are majorly junior workers blocked the major road leading to the office and other offices in the Alagbaka area of Akure, the state capital as early as 8 am.
Complaining against their non-inclusion in the payment of the new minimum wage, the workers were armed with placards of various inscriptions to register their grievances.
The protesting workers who, however, vowed not to return to their various offices until the matter is resolved in their favour, alleged that the management of the ODIRS was insensitive to their plight when the matter was brought before it.
They, however, called on the state government to urgently look into their demands in order not to down tools.
The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, who was at the ODIRS office said the protest was a minor issue which would be soon resolved.
Taiwo assured the protesting ODIRS workers that the state government will urgently address their demands.
According to him, “This protest is a minor issue because all core civil servants, including local government employees, parliamentary staff, and political appointees, have received their salaries.
“The affected workers of the ODIRS are from the private sector, not public servants but the governor directed yesterday that they should not be paid the old salary but the new minimum wage.
“We asked for their demands, but they provided none. We are unsure of the protest’s motivation. Normally, they should have submitted a formal letter of demand to the government.
“The governor who is currently in Abuja called a few minutes ago, instructing us not to force them out, but to allow them to protest.”
He added that, “The minimum wage approval will be signed within the next 30 minutes. There is no salary problem in Ondo State. If they have unresolved issues with their management, they need to present their demands formally.”
Taiwo expressed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s concern upon hearing about the workers’ plight on Wednesday, saying this informed the directive to be at the office on Thursday.
“I arrived at 7 am with representatives from all organised labour unions in the state. We came to listen and address them. When the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) arrived, we reviewed the salary details, and the governor’s directive was signed immediately.
“We are here to communicate with them, pass necessary information, and resolve any outstanding management issues. This is the first time such a protest has happened, and we are ready to engage with them in good faith,” Comrade Taiwo added.
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