Ondo Govt Revenue Workers Protest Over Non-Implementation of New Minimum Wage

Workers at the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) staged a protest on Thursday, shutting down offices over the failure to implement the new minimum wage.

The majority of the protesters are junior staff members, who are expressing frustration over the disparity between the hefty paychecks of senior executives and their own meager wages. The workers, who arrived early at their offices, blocked the main road leading to the office and other nearby locations, citing their exclusion from the new minimum wage payment.

Carrying placards with various messages, the workers made it clear that they would not return to their offices until their demands were addressed. They explained that despite presenting their grievances to management, they had received no positive response, prompting them to take action.

Accusing ODIRS management of being insensitive to their plight, the workers also raised concerns about alleged embezzlement within the establishment. They urged the state government to take swift action to address their demands to prevent further disruption, stressing that they deserved better compensation.

In response, Comrade Bola Taiwo, Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Union Matters, described the protest as a minor issue that would be resolved quickly. He reassured the workers that the state government would take prompt action on their concerns.

“This protest is a minor issue because all core civil servants, including local government employees, parliamentary staff, and political appointees, have received their salaries,” Taiwo explained. “The affected ODIRS workers are from the private sector, not public servants, but the governor has already directed that they be paid the new minimum wage instead of the old salary.”

Taiwo further mentioned that despite their protest, the workers had not formally submitted any written demands to the government. He added, “Normally, they should have sent a letter of demand to the government. The governor, who is currently in Abuja, called earlier and instructed us to allow them to protest without interference.”

Taiwo assured the workers that the minimum wage approval would be signed within the next 30 minutes. He emphasized that there was no salary issue in Ondo State, and if the workers had unresolved matters with their management, they should formally present their demands.

Expressing concern over the lack of prior notice for the protest, Taiwo said, “The governor was concerned when he heard about it yesterday, which is why he instructed us to come early today. We arrived at 7 a.m. with representatives from all organized labor unions in the state to engage with them.”

He concluded by stating, “This is the first time such a protest has occurred, and we are here to communicate with the workers, provide the necessary information, and resolve any outstanding management issues. We are ready to engage with them in good faith.”