Workers of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) on Thursday, shut offices, protesting over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage; even as the State government described the protest as minor.
The protesting staff of ODIRS who are majorly junior staff are protesting against the contrast between the lavish compensation of senior executives and the meager wages of junior staff in the establishment.
The workers who arrived at their offices as early as 8am blocked the major road leading to the office and other offfices in thenarra, complaining against their non inclusion in the payment of the minimum wage.
The workers who are armed with placards of various inscriptions, vowed not to return to their various offices until the matter is resolved.
They explained that the workers had tabled their grieviances before the management and decided to take the steps to protest after no positive response on non-implementation of new minimum wage.
They alleged the management of the ODIRS of insensitive to the plight of its workers and accusing them of embezzlement.
The workers called on the state government to urgently look into their demands in order not to down tools, saying they deserved a better remuneration.
While responding, Special Adviser to Ondo Governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, said the protest is a minor issue which will be resolved soon and assured the protesting ODIRS workers the state government will urgently address their demands.
Taiwo said: “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, currently in Abuja, called some minutes ago, instructing us not to force them out but to allow them to protest.
“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”
He frowned over the no prior notice over the protest and said “the governor was very concerned upon hearing about it yesterday, which is why he instructed us to be here early today.
“I arrived at 7am with representatives from all organized labor 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”
