… TO TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT

By: Odunayo Ogunleye

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved the sum of N77,000 as minimum wage for the least worker in the state just as the  payment takes immediate effect.

This decision was revealed after a meeting of the State  Government led by the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi and the leadership of the Organized Labour in Ogun State comprising the Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Talabi said this meeting was at the instance of the Governor and I’m pleased to inform you that we have  reached an agreement with Labour as the Governor has directed no worker in the state should get less than N77,000 starting from this month of October”.  

He said the Governor means well for people of the state as and has proactively taken the step to further ameliorate the sufferings of the people adding that the Governor has also advised the  organized private sector to take a cue from the policy as their workers are not exempted from the economic realities in the country in order to improve the living standard of people in the state holistically.

The SSG also noted the Governor has advised  that the private sector should dialogue with their relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for the sector while  he will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed.

On his part, the State NLC Chairman,  Comrade Hameed Benco said the organized  Labour union in the state is very pleased with the Governor having approved the sum of N77,000 in consultation with the labour which today is the highest in the country.

Bronco, said some states who have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000 while some pay ₦70,250 or less noting that the other sectorial salaries will effected accordingly adding that the government has also graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.

In the same vein, the Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the Trade Union Congress and his  counterpart, Comrade Isa Olude of the Joint Negotiating Council commended the government for being worker-friendly while they noted that consequential adjustment for pensioners and other matters will be announced after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

In his reaction, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya said the approval of the bumper minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and commitment of the Governor and the government to the welfare  of the workers and the generality of the people of the state.

Onasanya described Governor Abiodun as not only worker friendly but commitment to the wellness and wellbeing of the State Citizens.

He expressed optimism  that the gestures by government will further boost the moral of the workers and enhance productivity