PDP, Kwara govt at war over workers’ welfare

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Kwara State Government on Sunday got locked in controversy over the welfare of workers in the state.
The PDP in a statement by its state Chairman, Publicity Committee, Mohammed Alhassan, warned the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state to embark on policies that will have direct bearing on

the lives of the citizenry rather than pursuing, what it called shadow-like programmes.
It also advised the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, to ensure that he found solutions to the demands of the Joint Negotiation Council of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress

in the state as contained in their letter of February 27, 2014.
“We warn the governor not treat their demands with neither levity, nor sweep the letter under the carpet just like every other request documents forwarded by the Labour Unions with the understanding that any attempt to do so will definitely cripple the state and further subject the masses to hardship,” it said.
But the state government advised the PDP in the state to stop allegedly politicising issues that concern the welfare of workers and the residents.
The government in a statement by Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, advised the PDP to provide credible alternative to government programs rather than allegedly playing to the gallery with weighty issues.
“We reject the PDP’s attempt to politicise the ongoing dialogue between the state government and organised labour. Labour’s dispute was due to a misunderstanding which both parties are currently resolving through

dialogue.
“As a labour friendly governor, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed last week had separate meetings with organised labour unions during which some of the misunderstandings were resolved while high-powered committees comprising labour representatives and top government officials were set up to expeditiously identify solutions to all outstanding issues.
“For example, the annual increment has already been implemented while the issue of minimum wage for other cadres is receiving attention,” Oba said.