Ondo workers demand preparations for new minimum wage
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in Ondo State has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to begin preparations for implementing the new national minimum wage to avoid another prolonged delay for workers.
The council made the call in a position paper signed by its Chairman, Oluwasegun Ajiboye, and Secretary, Samuel Musa, titled, “Let Preparation Begin Now, Workers Should Not Wait Again.”
Workers in Ondo said rising costs of food, transportation, health care, education, housing and other basic necessities had significantly reduced the purchasing power of public servants amid the prevailing economic hardship.
The JNC, however, commended the Federal Government and organised labour for beginning negotiations on a review of the national minimum wage, describing the process as an opportunity to address the economic challenges facing Nigerian workers.
It urged the state government to begin budgetary planning, fiscal projections, payroll analysis, workforce verification and consultations with labour unions rather than waiting for the new wage to become law before taking action.
According to the council, early preparations would prevent workers from experiencing another period of unnecessary delay before benefiting from the new wage structure once it becomes effective.
The JNC also urged Aiyedatiwa to direct relevant agencies, including the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, the Office of the Head of Service, the Accountant-General’s Office, the Teaching Service Commission and the Local Government Service Commission, to begin the necessary processes.
It further appealed to the Ondo State House of Assembly to provide the necessary legislative and budgetary support and urged labour unions to sustain dialogue with the government, warning that timely implementation would promote industrial harmony, improve productivity and strengthen public service delivery.
