Delta State workers booed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori during the May Day celebrations on Wednesday over his failure to make a policy statement on minimum wage.
The workers, who expected the governor to announce a new minimum wage, were agitated when he finished his speech without mentioning the subject. The workers interrupted the governor’s address with chants of “No, no, no! We no gree, pay us our minimum wage!” Governor Oborevwori, however, responded by asserting that workers could not pressure him into announcing a new minimum wage.
The 2024 May Day celebration in Delta State, themed “People First,” was intended to be a festive occasion, featuring a march past by various labor unions. However, the governor’s speech in Asaba was disrupted by the workers’ disappointment over his silence on the minimum wage.
One union leader revealed that they had discussed the minimum wage issue with the governor prior to the event, but their efforts to get a definitive response had failed.
As the workers’ protests grew louder, Governor Oborevwori attempted to calm the crowd by saying, “Listen to me, listen to me, calm down, calm down, you cannot cajole me.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, Governor Oborevwori announced his administration would establish a committee to examine the workers’ demands for a salary increase due to the economic challenges facing the country. He commended the workers for their support and the industrial harmony in the state.
The governor emphasized that his administration prioritizes workers’ welfare and committed to addressing issues such as the payment of promotion arrears. “I have listened attentively to your requests and taken note of them. They are legitimate demands, and as a responsible government, I will deliberate with my team on how best to address them within the limits of our resources,” he stated.
In his address, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said, “We want promise-keeping politicians because, as workers, we keep records of promises.”
