Adams Oshiomhole
Given the fears been expressed by some people that state government might cut wages of workers, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole has warned State Governors against cutting salaries of workers.
It was gathered that some state governors might result in sacking some workers due to the decline in revenue given the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in an article published to mark Labour Day, Oshiomole appealed to the governors to be sensitive to the poor condition of workers during this difficult time.
He said cutting salaries of workers can only bring about a vicious cycle of poverty.
Oshiomole also advised governors to slightly reduce the cost of governance instead of slashing wages or retrenching workers.
The article reads, “For instance, cutting wages is most unhelpful in the circumstance. It’s like asking an anaemic patient to donate blood to save the lives of other patients in need of blood transfusion.
“A doctor who does that should have his license withdrawn. So, a policy adviser who recommends wage cut is abysmally unconscious of the mood of the present, which is that compassion and solidarity.
“State governments should not make workers bear a disproportionate part of the burden. When you cut a workers’ inadequate wage, you are further limiting his power to be an economic player.
“How can the worker make sufficient demand for the goods and services produced when you shrink his income?
You will recall that the Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai had ordered 50 per cent salary slash for political appointees in their respective states.