Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor, says no staff in the State’s workforce would earn below the N30,000 national minimum wage.
Governor Makinde said implementation of the minimum wage would commence as soon as the committee set up by his government to look into the modalities for the implementation of the wage completes its assignment.
The governor who gave this assurance on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, during the 2020 inter-religious service. He noted that he was looking forward to a decision that would be agreeable to the civil servants as well as affordable and sustainable for the state government.
“On the new minimum wage, the committee has been set up, they are working and moving towards alignment but I promise you that this administration and the workers of Oyo State are on the same page on this ongoing negotiation.
“When it is concluded, I give you the assurance that we shall stand side-by-side to announce to the whole world what we have agreed.
“Whatever we will agree upon is going to be in the interest of the workers and our state. First, our collective decision will be agreeable to everybody. Second, it will be affordable. Third, it will be sustainable.
“Before this administration came into place on May 29, the government was paying percentages as subvention to the higher institutions. Just a month before the previous administration left, they moved it to 100 percent and we have been paying it since we came in. I know that they do have an agreement in some states and will still breach the agreement. But, here, once we sign that agreement, we will pay it.
“We won’t pay in percentages and I want to also state categorically that no worker in Oyo State will earn below the national minimum wage,” Makinde said.
The service was attended by the deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan, the head of service, HoS, Amidat Ololade Agboola, other cabinet members and civil servants.
The HoS in her address commended Makinde for giving the approval for the reinstatement of some officers in the civil/public service who were unjustly dismissed by the last administration among other approved welfare packages.
In his speech, Makinde maintained that though the administration was less than a year in office, it has reasons to be thankful to God, because it has continued to enjoy tremendous goodwill.
Makinde also commiserated with victims of fire incidents across the State. He warned civil servants and to work towards preventing fire disasters by setting smart goals and planning adequately in the New Year.
