The revenue workers demanded the implementation of the new minimum wage by the management of the revenue service agency.
The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) workers on Thursday took to the streets of Akure, the state capital to stage a protest over the failure of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s government to pay them the new minimum wage.
The revenue workers demanded the implementation of the new minimum wage by the management of the revenue service agency.
The protesters, primarily junior staff, expressed frustration over the wide pay gap between senior executives and junior workers.
They accused the agency’s management of neglecting their welfare and excluding them from the benefits of the new minimum wage.
The aggrieved workers who arrived at the office around 8am, blocked the agency’s entrance and a major road in the area, disrupting activities as they sang solidarity songs, and vowed not to resume work until their grievances were addressed.
One of the protesters, identified as Isah, who criticised the management of the agency’s perceived insensitivity said, “We have tabled our grievance before the management, but no action has been taken. That is why we decided to take this action,” according to PUNCH.
The protesting workers called on the state government to urgently address their demands, insisting they deserved fair remuneration.
Responding to the situation, the Special Adviser to the governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, assured the aggrieved workers that their demands would be resolved promptly.
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 ODIRS workers are from the private sector, not public servants. However, the governor directed yesterday (Wednesday) that they should not be paid the old salary but the new minimum wage.”
He added, “We asked for their demands, but they provided none. 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 a problem in Ondo State. If they have unresolved issues with their management, they need to formally present their demands.”
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