Fashola says the state will not pay wages imposed by the FG
The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday disclosed that the state government would not implement the minimum wage that was negotiated by the Federal Government with labour leaders.
The governor announced this during the 2012 May Day celebration in the state. He said the state would pay its workers what it can afford until the state revenue allocation is reviewed upward.
“Henceforth, Lagos State will not be stampeded to pay wages it did not negotiate.
“We will not pay wages imposed by the Federal Government, even when the constitution says Federal Government has the right to do so,’’ he said.
Fashola reiterated the need for the nation to build a strong economy by ensuring that the power sector worked effectively. He said that the state government was ready to partner with the private sector to ensure effective distribution of power in order to boost economic activities in the state.
He urged the Federal Government to create jobs opportunities that would increase economic growth and also improve the lives of the citizenry.
Meanwhile, during the Workers Day celebration members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State chapter stormed Onikan Stadium with placards bearing various inscription in protest against the government refusal to implement the 27.5 percent teachers’ specific allowance.
Some of the placards reads: “There is limit to human endurance,” “Lagos, avert crisis in education system” and “Infrastructure minus human structure equal to no structure.”
According to the union’s treasurer, Adeyinka Adegoke, the state government had refused to pay the allowances one year after the agreement was signed.
“We reached the agreement in 2011 and till date, the state government has yet to comply with our demands,” he said. “We appeal to the state government to listen to us to forestall any crisis.’’
