The Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the state government to immediately release the withheld November 2024 salaries of workers across all 16 local government areas, warning of potential industrial action if the issue remains unresolved.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NLC State Secretary, Comrade Isiah Elachochi-Eigege, revealed that about 75 percent of affected workers, including members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, have yet to receive their wages.
The union attributed the delay to the workers’ failure to complete the mandatory registration with the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency a requirement imposed earlier in the year.
“It is surprising that more than 75 percent of workers in the state, primarily local government employees, have not received their salaries for November 2024,” Elachochi-Eigege said.
The NLC further urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene swiftly, warning that unresolved delays could trigger unrest.
“The NLC hereby calls on the state government to effect the full payment of November 2024 salaries to avoid invoking labour laws for a total shutdown of the state,” the statement read.
Expressing strong disapproval of any plans to proceed with December salary payments while November wages remain unsettled, the union set a deadline for the government to act.
“Failure to address this by Thursday, December 19, 2024, will leave us with no choice but to declare an industrial action,” the union warned.
In response, Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, clarified that the delay only affects workers who have not completed their registration with KWSRRA.
“Many state government workers have already received their November salaries, while others are still being credited,” Nuru said in a statement dated December 2, 2024. “The exception is those yet to complete their registration with the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency.”
She emphasized that the registration process, open for over six months, was designed to ensure payroll integrity and enhance data-driven planning for the state.
“The government has consistently prioritized prompt salary payments under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration,” Nuru added.
Nuru urged affected workers to resolve outstanding registration issues at KWSRRA offices across the state to facilitate payments.
“The disbursement of November salaries is ongoing in batches, and workers, including SUBEB teachers and local government staff, are being paid after obtaining KWSRRA clearance,” she said.
Despite the state government’s reassurances, the NLC insisted the prolonged delay was unacceptable. “We call on the government to expedite action. The workers have been patient enough, and failure to pay their dues will lead to consequences,” Elachochi-Eigege stated.
With the NLC’s threat of industrial action looming, the pressure is on the Kwara State government to resolve the standoff promptly and avert a potential shutdown.
