Kunle Idowu,Abeokuta

Indications have emerged that workers in Ogun State may not benefit in the newly announced increase in workers’ salaries in full ,as announced by the federal government yesterday.This effect became obvious yesterday when the state governor ,Prince Dapo Abiodun said that his administration would need to meet with labour leaders in the state with a view to coming up with a decision on the new minimum wage.

The hopes and aspirations of the state workforce who had thronged the MKO International stadium in Abeokuta for this year’s workers day anniversary became dashed as the Governor’s announcement seemed not incomformity with their expectations . Some of the workers who had gone under harrowing experiences to transport themselves to the venue of the anniversary,in the face of the current hike in the pump price of petrol,had expected the state governor ,Prince Dapo Abiodun to agree to paying the salary increase as announced by the federal government.But when the governor announced his government’s decision to meet the state labour leaders, disappointments were boldly written on the workers’ face ,with their morale being dampened throughout the celebrations.The Federal government had announced an increase of between 25%- 30% for workers who were still on the remaining consolidated salary structure.The governor had ,at the anniversary, said a meeting with labour leaders in the state would be held with a view to arriving at a decision that is favourable to both the government and the workers. Speaking during the year 2024 Worker’s Day celebration and rally, tagged: ‘People First’, he a added that his administration had paid a total of N128.3 billion as pensions and gratuities to both local and state government retirees in the state,probably to prepare the minds of labour leaders,scheduled to meet him on what they should expect.”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.”We will soon be calling a meeting with the organized labour leaders to finalize the Ogun State Government Minimum decision,” he said.Prince Abiodun noted that the state government has paid N2.8 billion as leave bonuses to workers, with the bonus entitlement for the year 2023 and January to March 2024, also paid by his administration.In addition, N13.4 billion outstanding deductions have been paid to workers.While also noting that his administration has paid over N8 billion as palliatives to state government workers and pensioners, Abiodun added that car and motorcycle refurbishing loans have been increased by 100 per cent by his administration.Governor Abiodun further added that about 10,982 civil servants have benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1.3 billion disbursed so far.The governor added that his administration has also consistently provided a N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the past nine months, totaling N8 billion.”We are diligently remitting the backlog of inherited deductions and have consistently paid the agreed outstanding deductions. These deductions that have been paid up to March 2024 have totalled about N13.4billion since I assumed office.”We continue to pay pension and gratuity to both state and local governments, totalling approximately N118.7billion and N9.6 billion, respectively, for a total of N128.3billion.”Payment of leave bonuses for all beneficiaries at the state, local and SUBEB amounting to about N2.9 billion.”It is important to state that bonus entitlement for 2023 and from January to March 2024 have all been paid. Payment on palliatives for state government staff, parastatals, corporations, institutions, and pensioners totalling about N8 billion.”The car and motorcycle refurbishing loans have been increased by 100 per cent, providing enhanced financial support for all civil servants.”Up to March 2024, about 10,982 civil servants have benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1 billion disbursed,” he said.The governor also added that his administration has continued to pay 40% of the basic salary of workers in the state as Peculiar Allowance, adding that Ogun Teach interns will after two years minimum meritorious service get migrated into the mainstream of the civil service.”I directed last year that TESCOM and SUBEB engage additional 2000 OgunTEACh interns, increasing the total number of interns engaged to 4,000 out of 5000 target …I directed that 1000 of the interns that have served more than two years and have been evaluated and found worthy be absorbed into mainstream civil service “I have now decided to turn this into a policy going forward, Ogun TeacH interns will now after 2 years minimum meritorious service and passing evaluation will be migrated into mainstream civil service,” he said.While noting that he has directed the Head of Service to start the process of appointing Principal Generals to fill the vacant offices, Governor Abiodun said that his administration has updated and reviewed the Public Service Rules and Financial Instructions, the first overhaul in over two decades.Governor Abiodun also said that his administration has expanded its health insurance coverage with the introduction of the ‘Ileradapo’ scheme for the state workforce and the public, noting that over 70,000 people have benefited from the health scheme, with over 1,500 surgeries done so far free of charge.”We have expanded our health insurance coverage with the “Ileradapo” scheme, benefiting all state workers and the public, and I can proudly say that over 70,000 beneficiaries have participated in the scheme. Furthermore, over 1,500 free surgeries have been performed to date.”Under the Ibidero Scheme, we offer comprehensive support for pregnant women, including free pre-natal and post-natal care, and an additional N5,000 per birth in our state hospitals and primary health care centers,” he added.In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the state controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nnambi Enuah restated the commitment of the present administration to continue to pursue policies and programmes that prioritizes 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 have rolled out palliatives like the wage award, Presidential Constitutional Grant Scheme, grant for large manufacturers, loans for small and medium businesses, consumer’s credit scheme, among others, urging workers to continue to renew their strength and renew their commitment and support to government at all levels.Also,the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, called on the government to address unemployment and the high cost of living in the country.He commended Governor Abiodun for his leadership capability and unmatched response to doing what was necessary in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.The labour leader also appreciated the governor for the implementation of the N10,000 transport allowance and the 40% increment in workers’ basic salary.The highlight of the May Day celebration was the presentation of the Best Friendly Governor Award to Governor Dapo Abiodun by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and matched by various unions in the state