The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not happy as representatives of the Oyo state government, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, met over the implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000 in the State, resolving to await the transmission of the new minimum wage scale from the Head of Service of the Federation for effective implementation.
At the meeting held at state Secretariat, Ibadan, the government team led by the Secretary to the state government, Mr Olalekan Alli, expressed positivity about the implementation of the new wage in the state, but that it only awaited a formal, enabling directive from the Head of Service of the federation to proceed.
Monday’s meeting was in yielding to an April 24, 2018 letter by the state council of the NLC/TUC/JNC requesting a meeting with the state government on the implementation of the new national minimum wage in Oyo State, while urging the state government to put all necessary machinery into action for immediate implementation of the new national minimum wage in the state with effect from April 2019 salary.
The labour team was led by state NLC Chairman, Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo; TUC Chairman, also JNC Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran.
Speaking after the meeting, both Ogundiran and Titilola-Sodo said the labour unions urged the state government to regularly keep in touch with the federal government for the enabling directive so that the state is among the first to implement the new minimum wage.
They, however, said their prayer at the meeting was for the implementation of the new minimum wage across all level of workers in the public and civil service, not one where only junior workers, and not senior workers, benefit.
This is as they did not rule out the implementation of the new minimum wage commencing with April salary.
The PDP, reacting through its spokesperson, Engr Akeem Olatunji, said that “It sounds absurd that a government that failed to implement N18,000 minimum wage announced by federal government in 2011 is now moving at jet speed to negotiate what is beyond her lifespan. This is uncalled for and a plot to create problems for the incoming government and to take credit for what they (APC) never believe in.
“As we all know, welfare of workers and the entire citizens are the number one priority of Engr Seyi Makinde and PDP, hence Gov Ajimobi led APC government should rather save the crocodile tears they are shedding for the Oyo State workers because they are presently in safe hands as promises made by PDP and her candidates shall be fulfilled to the satisfaction of all and sundry.
“The Oyo State PDP therefore admonish the outgoing APC government to be of assistance to Oyo State workers by stopping fleecing of the state treasury and find ways to liquidate humongous debts they have subjected Oyo State into.
“The incoming PDP government has her own economics blueprints that will enhance the productivity of Oyo State workers and ensure they earn their living wages as at when due.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is hereby felicitating with workers on the smooth leadership changes that brought in Comrade Sodo as the newly elected Chairman of Nigeria Labor Congress, Oyo State Chapter. He is a man of impeccable character who is widely known as a thorough bred labor leader who doesn’t compromise.
“However, PDP is of the opinion that NLC under Comrade Sodo should exercise restrain and in the meantime allow the incoming PDP administration of Engr Seyi Makinde to first of all take the leadership mantle of the state so as to have a purposeful and meaningful negotiation that will be binding on the incoming government who will be responsible for the day to day running of government for the next 4 years and for the sake of fairness.
“The party, PDP, is confident that members of the Transition Committee headed by Sen Hosea Agboola Halleluya will put the interests of Oyo State workers as priority bearing in mind that they are the bedrock of any government that intends to succeed.
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