Minimum Wage: Labour Unions Rally in Ekiti, laud Fayemi’s commitment to workers welfare
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| Kayode Fayemi |
Labour
union leaders in Ekiti State have expressed confidence in the
government of Dr Kayode Fayemi to implement the N30,000 new national
minimum wage when signed into law by the Federal Government.
The
labour leaders stated this at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti on
Tuesday during a peaceful rally organised by the Nigerian Labour
Congress (NLC) around Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, to drum support for
the new minimum wage.
Labour leaders who spoke on
behalf of the workers during the protest recalled that Fayemi was the
only governor to review workers’ salaries and emoluments three different
times during his first tenure.
They pointed out that the Fayemi-led Government also paid a little above the minimum wage for its workers.
They
said through the Governor’s antecedence, they were convinced that Ekiti
State government would effect the N30,000 minimum wage.
The
Ekiti State NLC Chairman, Prince Ade Adesanmi said: “We know Governor
Fayemi’s antecedence when it comes to workers welfare. During his first
term, the Governor implemented the 18,000 naira minimum wage,
implemented workers relativity as well as the Conhess/Conmess for
workers in the state . We are convinced that he will not hesitate to
implement the 30,000 naira wage once the process is perfected.”
The
labour leader who said the nation would witness a major strike action
if the minimum wage was not signed into law, however urged Governor
Fayemi to join other colleagues to prevail on the Federal Government to
effect the minimum wage.
Governor Fayemi who was
represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, assured the
workers that the state government is not only interested in increasing
their wages, but also to promote work friendly environment tat would
enhance their productivity.
“This government came on
board as a worker friendly one and that relationship shall be sustained.
We shall create a conducive working environment for workers and we
shall engage in human capital development and capacity building to
motivate you”, the governor stated.
He reiterated the
determination of his administration to take workers welfare and regular
payment of salaries as priority, noting that workers are currently being
underpaid and as such, should not be denied of regular and timely
payment.
The governor promised to take the workers
requests to the Governors Forum holding in Abuja with the aim of
resolving the minimum wage issue to forestall the nationwide strike.
Ekiti
State Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka called for the review of the
revenue allocation formula to favour the governments at the lower levels
in order to accommodate the new minimum wage.
Earlier,
the National Vice President of the NLC, Comrade Solomon Adelegan and
the State TUC Chairman, Com Adesoye both emphasized the need to
implement the 30,000 naira being agitated to forestall the nationwide
strike billed to commence on November 6.
