Kwara state government has reversed the directive which reduced working days from five days to three days for civil servants in the state in the face of hardship brought about by fuel subsidy removal.
It is recalled that on June 5, 2023, the state Head of Service, Modupe Oluwole, had said that the state government took a temporary measure to ease the burden of public workers in the state with the directive following the astronomical hike in transport fare.
However, in a letter to the Heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in the state on June 26, the Head of Service reversed the directive to allow the federal government and the organized labour to work out modalities on more efficient interventions to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
The letter, signed by Mr Okedare Adeyinka for the Head of Service, said that the intervention was expected to be unveiled very soon.
“For this reason, it has become imperative to revert to the former state of affairs, where civil servants observe five working days pending when a position is reached by the government and the labour.
“I am therefore directed to inform all Heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that the reduced number of working days has been reversed; hence, all categories of workers are to observe the normal five working days per week, with effect from July 10, 2023.
“Workers not covered in the initial workday reduction, which lasted a few days, will have stipends given to them as a show of appreciation. Kindly, give the content of this circular widest coverage.
“It will be recalled that the Kwara State Government, in a bid to address the challenges brought about by the removal of fuel subsidy, reduced the number of working days from five days to three days.
“This policy was a show of good faith on the part of the government, albeit a stopgap measure, pending a more cohesive national policy response that caters to all.
“Consequently, the Federal Government and organised labour are now working out modalities on more efficient interventions to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. This is expected to be unveiled very soon.”
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