Workers in Delta State on Wednesday disagreed with the governor of the state, Sheriff Oborevwori, over his failure to increase the state’s minimum wage, News About Nigeria reports.
The drama that happened during the celebration of Workers’ Day today in Asaba, the Delta State capital, began after the governor gave his address without announcing a new minimum wage for workers.
Displeased with the decision of the governor to overlook their demand for a raise, the workers started chanting, “No, no, no, we no gree, pay us our minimum wage.”
In response, the governor, who tried to calm them down, insisted that they could not cajole him into announcing a new minimum wage.
“Listen to me, listen to me, calm down, calm down, you cannot cajole me,” Oborevwori said.
The workers, however, insisted that their demand be met, noting that they had earlier discussed the matter with him.
Seeing that he couldn’t calm the situation, the governor then promised the workers that his administration would set up a committee to look into their demand for salary increases in line with the current economic hardship plaguing the country.
He said, “I have listened attentively to your requests and I have taken note of the same; they are, no doubt, legitimate demands, and as a responsible government, I will deliberate with my team on how best to address them within the limits of resources available to us.”
While commending the workers for their contributions to the state and nation-building, the governor noted that his administration is committed to their welfare.
He further promised to look into the issue of workers who were omitted in the payment of promotion arrears.
