Workers of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) on Thursday shut down offices to protest the non-implementation of the new minimum wage.
The protesting staff, mainly junior employees, are expressing dissatisfaction with the stark contrast between the lavish compensation of senior executives and the meager wages of junior staff within the establishment.
The workers, who arrived at their offices as early as 8 a.m., blocked the major road leading to their office and other offices in the area, complaining about their exclusion from the new minimum wage payments.
Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the workers vowed not to return to their offices until the matter is resolved.
They explained that they had previously raised their grievances with management and decided to take the step of protesting after receiving no positive response regarding the non-implementation of the new minimum wage.
The workers accused ODIRS management of being insensitive to their plight and alleged embezzlement.
They called on the state government to urgently address their demands to avoid further disruption, emphasizing that they deserved better compensation.
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In response, Comrade Bola Taiwo, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Union Matters, stated that the protest was a minor issue that would soon be resolved. He assured the protesting ODIRS workers that the state government would 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 ODIRS are from the private sector, not public servants. However, the governor directed yesterday that they should be paid the new minimum wage, not the old salary.
“We asked for their demands, but none were provided. We are unsure of the protest’s motivation. Normally, they should have submitted a formal letter of demand to the government.
“The governor, who is currently in Abuja, called a few minutes ago and instructed 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.”
Taiwo expressed his concern over the lack of prior notice for the protest, saying, “The governor was very concerned upon hearing about it yesterday, which is why he instructed us to be here early today.
“I arrived at 7 a.m. 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, share necessary information, and resolve any outstanding management issues. This is the first time such a protest has occurred, and we are ready to engage with them in good faith.”
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