Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved N77,000 as minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, disclosed this on Monday after a meeting with the leadership of the organised labour in the state.
The SSG explained that the meeting was at the instance of the governor, who directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from the month of October.
He said that the decision was part of the proactive step by Abiodun’s administration to further ameliorate the suffering of the people.
The governor also advised the organised private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers are not exempt from the economic realities in the country, adding that the move was to improve the living standards of people in the state holistically.
The SSG urged the private sector to dialogue with relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for their workers, noting that the governor will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed.
Speaking, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, said the organised labour in the state is very pleased with the governor for approving N77,000 in consultation with labour leaders, which today is the highest in the country.
Benco noted that some states that have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000, while some are paying N70,250 or less, adding that other sectoral salaries would be affected accordingly.
He also revealed that the state government has graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.
In their separate remarks, the state’s TUC President Comrade Akeem Lasisi, and his JNC counterpart, Comrade Isa Olude, commended the governor for being workers-friendly.
They noted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other matters would be announced after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the approval of the “generous minimum wage” for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the governor and government to the plight of workers and citizens of the state.
Onasanya expressed optimism that the gesture of the government will further boost the morale of workers and ensure their commitment to the implementation of government’s policies.