The Oyo State Government has assured civil servants and retirees that it will not delay the implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage once negotiation is concluded with labour unions.
Governor Seyi Makinde gave the assurance at the International Workers’ Day celebration, themed, “People First”, held at Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde who was represented by the deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, said his government will continue to ensure the well-being of civil servants and retirees through prompt payment of wages and regular promotions.
He said that “In line with the theme of this Year’s May Day celebration People First, the State Government put the People at the heart of its policies and programmes.
“Specifically, the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAFER) programme of the State Government is aimed at welfare of the general populace with distribution of food relief to over 200,000 poorest of the poor households and provision of health insurance to 100,000 vulnerable households as well as financial support of Nibillion to youth agropreneurs and small businesses.
“I want to assure you all that as soon as negotiation is concluded with the labour unions on the minimum wage, the State will not delay action on implementation of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage;
“The State Government will not fail on its promise to ensure prompt payment of salaries on or before the 25th of every month (GSM Day); Payment of 13th month salaries; Prompt payment of pensions on or before the 25th of every month; Regular disbursement of both car and housing loans to the tune of N750,000.00 and N3,000,000.00 respectively; Regular conduct of staff promotion exercise. The year 2022 Promotion Exercise for eligible workers in the State has been.
“I want to charge the workers to reciprocate the good gesture of the State Government by being more dedicated and committed. Remember that to whom much is given much is expected.
You should work tirelessly and vigorously for the pay you earn and the Almighty God shall reward you.
“I wish to commend the State Labour force for ensuring conducive atmosphere devoid of incessant industrial actions which allows for peace and development of our dear State.
“I request your continual cooperation and understanding as partners in progress, Let us use this May Day to celebrate the workers in Oyo State.
“I want to assure you that working together; this Administration shall protect workers right and promote incentives for improved productivity for the overall prosperity of our workers and dear State. I wish you all happy May Day Celebration.
On their part, Chairmen, Nigeria Labour Congress, and Trade Union Congress, Oyo State Councils, Comrades Kayode Martins and Bosun Olabiyi urged the tripartite committee set up by Governor Makinde to deliberate on the workers minimum wages to fast track the process.
Comrade Bosun Olabiyi noted “In His people first approach, he launched the SAFER program that has entered into the nooks and crannies of the state and brought many who were merely exiting before to proper living across the state. Oyo state under his leadership was the first state to pronounce and implement the much talk about wage award for both workers and retirees without any ambiguity and the payment has been on now uniterupted for over 8 months.
“The recent approval of 1.3billion naira for payment of gratuity and death benefits and the conversion of 129 floating defunct OYSADEP staff into the mainstream of Oyo state civil service last week are few of the worker and people first orientation of our amiable governor and his team in Oyo state.
“On Monday April 8, 2024, His excellency, out of his tight schedule visited the homes of Messers Nurudeen Abicla and Taiwo Adeagbo at Binukonu Olounloyo and Okebadan areas in Ibadan after the altercation between these OYRTMA staff and some Nigerian IMMIGRATION Services officers.
“This is by no means a small example and a demonstration that our governor places priority on people irrespective of class and status.
“I can continue to list out numerous and giant strides of this present administration and the next two hours may not be enough for me to list them out. We sincerely appreciate all His Excellency and his team are doing for the state and on behalf of all Oyo State worker and people, we say a big Thank you.
“Today, the cost of energy as rocked almost all aspects of our lives and it has turned many workers into beggars and many citizens and people of the country are living in abject poverty.
“It wasn’t any good news before the removal of fuel subsidy and the removal of fuel subsidy only made matter worse.
“The people of the country are living in excruciating pain and the story of about three days ago with fuel scarcity or price is a shred of clear evidence that we need something to be done urgently.
“The discussion on minimum wage is ongoing and our expectation as workers is that the tripartite committee will be able to agree on a living wage for workers. Inflation has already taken the wage award giving to workers away and we are back to square one.
“We believe that once the minimum wage is sorted at the federal level, we believe that our governor will expedite discussion with the local negotiating team and come up with a pace-setting table that will be a landmark in Nigeria for the workers and retirees in Oyo state, the same people who have always stood with Engineer Seyi Makinde through thick and thin.
“I will also use this opportunity to plead with His Excellency who today is a governor that cut across all divides to use his influence and reach to always be on the side of the workers of Nigeria especially when our discussion is on in the governor’s forum where he happens to the Vice Chairman.
“There are other several needs of the workers, especially needs of the two labor centres in the state which we have enumerated to the right quarters, top on TUC agenda is a befitting office for us within the metropolis, this is still outstanding though an effort is ongoing by the honorable commissioner for Lands to allocate us a space to have our office.
“I will like to commend Her Honour, the SSG Professor Olanike Adeyemo, and other ADHOC committee members on resolving all outstanding issues concerning labour union in the state for good progress so far.
“Conclusively, We need not any measuring instrument to detect that the people of Nigeria are suffering in their numbers and there is hunger in the land, we all are looking forward to a change in which all animals will be getting close to being equal and the sons and daughter of the downtrodden will be having some hope into a better future.
“I would like to encourage all comrades and thank them for all our efforts in the past, all our sacrifices and labour of love will not go unrewarded and we will all eat the fruits of our labor.
Speaking on salary and pension increments approved by federal government for some structures yesterday, Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo state council, Comrade Olusegun Abatan said the increment is not realistic in solving economic challenges faced by workers and pensioners and called for further negotiation.
Oyo state head of service, Olubunmi Oni, Chairman, Oyo NUP, Chief Isiaka Abolade and Assistant Secretary, Oyo NUP, Comrade Banji Koleosho were dignitaries present at the event.
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