Wage Increase: Delta Workers Jeer At Government’s Plan To Set Up Wage Review Committee…You Can’t Cajole Me – Gov Oborevwori
It was mild drama today at the Cenotaph, venue of the 2024 Workers Day commemoration, as workers jeered at the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as he delivered his address.
The workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), apparently miffed and disappointed by the governor’s posture on the protracted upward wage review, booed at him.
Governor Oborevwori, who had attempted to ignore the wqorkers reactions, retorted and said: “Listen to me, you cannot cajole me.”
The governor’s remark seemed to aggravate the already pent up emotions, therby increasing the tempo of scathing reactions at the governor’s address, compelling him to step down from the podium and drove out of the venue in his convoy unceremoniously.
Expatiating later on the governor’s interrupted address, a government House press release said government intends to set up a committee to look into workers’ demand for salary increase in view of the current hardship in the country.
The governor commended workers in the state for their support for the emergence of his administration and for the prevailing industrial harmony across the state.
He said his administration had always prioritised the welfare of workers in the state and promised to look into the issue of workers who were inadvertently omitted in the payment of promotion arrears.
Governor Oborevwori said: “I have listened attentively to your requests and I have taken note of same; they are, no doubt, legitimate demands and as a responsible government, I will deliberate with my team on how best to address them within the limits of resources available to us.
“As a government, we have prioritised the welfare of our workforce because it is my belief that a happy and well motivated workforce is not only a catalyst for the growth and industrial development of any society but also the bedrock for extended family setting and communal cohesion.
“This administration has already demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of serving and retired civil servants and we will continue to do so through our policies and actions.
“This, we have exemplified by the payment of salary arrears to the state civil servants and facilitation of N40 billion facility to assist the local governments to pay the backlog of pensions and gratuity to local government workers and primary school teachers.
“However, I have taken note that some persons were omitted in the payment of promotion arrears; it wasn’t the fault of government because I was given the full list and I was told that the amount is N5.6bn and said let it be paid in four tranches and it was paid, but since the NLC Chairman has mentioned it in his speech, I will look into it.
“We are determined to deliver meaningful projects through aggressive infrastructural development as can be seen from the numerous bridges, flyovers and road construction and reconstruction, building and renovation of schools, healthcare facilities and retooling and capacity building of the workforce and human capital development in general, across board.
“My administration is determined to deliver economic prosperity and an improved standard of living to all Deltans through collaborative effort and constructive engagement with organised labour.
“Therefore, we solicit your unflinching support and cooperation to get us to this promised land and to the Delta State of our dreams.”
Earlier, in a joint address delivered by the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku , on behalf of his Trade Union Congress counterpart, TUC, Comrade Martin Bolum, the labour leaders commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for honouring workers in the state by attending the Workers’ Day in person.
He commended Governor Oborevwori for his commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state and pledged their continued support for his administration’s MORE Agenda.
The labour leader also lauded the governor for the payment of promotion arrears owed workers to the tune of N5.6 billion, but appealed to him to consider those omitted whose entitlements, they said, tallied at N800 million.
The NLC boss, while appreciating the governor for keeping to his campaign promises to workers, said, “we want promise keeper’s politicians because, as workers, we keep records of promises”.
The 2024 May Day celebration, with theme, “PEOPLE FIRST,” was a carnival- like celebration in the State and featured march past by the various affiliate unions in the state.