In response to the recent surge in transport fares and the resulting financial strain on public workers, the Kwara State Government has introduced temporary measures to alleviate the situation. The State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole, announced on Monday that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak has directed a reduction in work days from five to three days per week for all state-employed workers.
The directive, aimed at mitigating the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government, was conveyed through a statement signed by Murtala Atoyebi, the Chief Press Secretary in the office of the HOS, and made available to The Guardian.
Mrs. Oluwole emphasized that the purpose of this measure is to provide relief to the workers who have been grappling with the skyrocketing cost of transportation. By reducing the number of work days, the government aims to ease the financial burden on employees and help them cope with the increased transport expenses resulting from the fuel subsidy removal.
To ensure effective implementation, the Head of Service instructed all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to promptly devise a format indicating the alternating work days for each employee under their purview. This arrangement will enable a smooth transition to the new schedule and ensure that all workers are aware of their designated work days.
While the government has shown compassion towards the workers, Mrs. Oluwole cautioned against abusing the governor’s generosity. She stressed that the Head of Service’s office would intensify its monitoring of MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. The government expects employees to adhere to the revised work schedule diligently and demonstrate professionalism in their duties.
The temporary reduction in work days is seen as a proactive step by the Kwara State Government to address the immediate financial challenges faced by public workers. By implementing this measure, the government aims to provide relief and support its employees during this period of increased transportation costs. The effectiveness of these temporary measures will be closely monitored to assess their impact and determine any further necessary actions to alleviate the burden on the workers.
