Kwara suspends three-day work week, says decision based on NEC’s advisory

The Kwara state government has suspended the directive reducing the workdays of civil servants from five to three.

Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, confirmed the development to TheCable on Thursday.

In June, the state government announced the work week adjustment to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal and the high transportation rate.

Ajakaye said a circular “reviewing” the reversal of the directive had been released to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the state.

He said the decision was informed by an advisory from the national economic council (NEC).

“The state government made it clear from the get-go that the measures (reduction in workdays and other palliatives) are temporary and won’t always be there. It was meant to bring immediate relief at that period,” he told TheCable.

“I refuse to call it a reversal; a review will be the right term. I remember using the word ‘stop-gap’ measure to describe it at the time.

“The decision to suspend the reduction of workdays aligns with the national economic council’s advisory for states to await some more uniform measures being worked out for workers.

“These measures are being designed by different committees comprising representatives of labour and governments. The states will then adopt such measures as may be convenient for their individual purse.”

Ajakaye added that the new development takes effect from July 10.