The labour centres in Oyo have urged the minimum wage negotiation committee set up by the state government to expedite discussions towards arriving at a review of the present minimum wage.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) made this call during the celebration of the 2024 Workers’ Day at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Leading the charge, Chairman, Oyo NLC, Mr Kayode Martins said the existing minimum wage expired on April 30 and Nigerian workers are due for what he called a ‘living wage’ effective May 1, 2024.
More than ever, he said workers, particularly those of the state, needed the implementation of living wage that was above inflation that consumes present earnings.
Asked if N70,000 as approved in Edo State was fair enough to be adopted, Martins said such amount was inadequate compared to current realities, adding that what the Labour demanded as minimum wage for the workforce in Oyo State was even more than N70,000.
Speaking in the same vein, chairman, Oyo TUC, Mr Bosun Olabiyi said workers expect Oyo to live up to its being called a pacesetter state by arriving at a pacesetting table.
Acknowledging hunger, suffering of Nigerian workers, Olabiyi said the workers were all looking forward to, “a change in which all animals will be getting close to being equal and the sons and daughters of the downtrodden will have some hope for a better future.”
Representing Governor Seyi Makinde at the event, the state deputy governor, Mr Bayo Lawal assured that the state awaited the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiation committee which has representatives of government and Labour.
He assured that as soon as negotiation is concluded with the labour unions on the minimum wage, the State would not delay action on implementation of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.
Asserting that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration has been so good to workers in terms of payment of salaries, pensions, promotions, loan access, Lawal said it behooved on the workers to reciprocate by ensuring an atmosphere devoid of incessant industrial actions.