No Strike For Lagos Workers Says Ogunlewe

LAGOS, July 19, (THEWILL) – Lagos State Government employees will not join the 3-day warning strike called by organized labour, the Lagos State Head of Service said Tuesday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had asked workers nationwide to embark on a 3-day warning strike over disagreements with both federal and state governments in the implementation of the N18, 000 (about $116) monthly minimum salary for workers.

Lagos Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe in a circular with Ref No. CIR/HOS/11/VOL.I/068 issued to all government departments in the state said the 3-day strike for Lagos workers was unnecessary as the state had already complied with the terms of the 2011 Minimum Wage Act.

Ogunlewe had earlier in the day at a ceremony inside government House Alausa presented retirement bond certificates valued at N2.198 billion to 322 retirees saying that the state had concluded modalities for the payment of an additional N1.6 billion to 240 retirees.

A circular from the office of the HOS reads, “As a proactive Government, it is heartening to say that the new salary structure being operated since January 2011 in the Lagos State Public Service has adequately accommodated the provisions of the Act since the least paid employee now earns N18, 780.48k (GP) per month as already reflected in circular Ref No. EST/S.190/S.6/VOL.III/192 of 21st February, 2011. In the same vein, Parastatal Organisations in the State Public Service are being assisted to comply with the Minimum Wage Act.

“The action of Government is driven at ensuring stability in the socio-economic activities of the State which any industrial action might severely hamper. Furthermore, the State is seriously concerned about the negative impact of strike actions to the dispensation of essential safety and security services such as healthcare, water supply, fire services and emergency management, etc to her citizenry.”