MAY DAY CELEBRATION: OGUN TO MEET LABOUR UNIONS OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE-ABIODU
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has promised to meet with labour leaders in the state with a view to decide on the new minimum wage that will be favourable to both the government and the workers.
Governor Abiodun, made this known during the year 2024 Worker’s Day celebration and rally, tagged, ‘People First’, at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, saying his administration had always put workers’ welfare on its front burner
“On minimum wage, your ever-responsive administration has done a lot of work, which is aimed at arriving at a position that we can sustain, in line with our inclusive style of governance”, he said.
He reiterated that N128.3 billion had been paid for pensions and gratuities to both local and state government retirees in the state, while N2.8 billion for leave bonuses for the year 2023 and January to March 2024 and N13.4 billion outstanding deductions had been paid to workers.
While also noting that his administration paid over N8 billion as palliatives to state workforce and pensioners, Abiodun added that car and motorcycle refurbishing loans were increased by 100 per cent, informing that about 10,982 Civil Servants had benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1.3 billion disbursed so far.
Speaking, Minister of Labour and Employment, Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the State Controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nnambi Enuah, restated the commitment of the present administration to continue to pursue policies and programmes that prioritise the rights of workers in the country.
She further said that the federal government, in order to mitigate the consequences of some of its recent policies, rolled out palliatives like the wage award, Presidential Constitutional Grant Scheme, grant for large manufacturers, loans for small and medium businesses and Consumer Credit Scheme, among others, urging workers to continue to renew their commitment and support to government at all levels.
Remarking, state Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, called on government to address unemployment and high cost of living in the country, commending Governor Abiodun for his leadership capability and unmatched response to the plight of the people in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy, implementation of the N10,000 transport allowance and the 40 percent increment in workers’ basic salary.
Highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Best Friendly Governor Award to Governor Dapo Abiodun by Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Match Past by various unions in the state.
