Oyetola approves seven major demands of Joint Labour Movement

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has announced the approval of the seven major demands of members of the Joint Labour Movement in the state.

The governor, in his speech to mark this year’s Workers’ Day, approved for immediate implementation, the cash-backing of outstanding promotions for all categories of workers, 100% implementation of Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) for which the state has already been implementing 90%, as well as the immediate implementation of 65-year retirement age for all categories of staff in tertiary institutions.

He also ordered immediate commencement of the process of domestication of 65 years’ retirement age/40 years’ length of service for teachers and commencement of the process of reverting from the current Council Manager to Head of Local Government Administration and Head of Department to Director at the local government system.

Approval was also given to establishment matters to conduct outstanding promotions nominally from 2019 to date, regularisation, advancement and conversion, among others, while approval was also made on appointment of permanent secretaries in due course to put an end to the use of Coordinating Directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Speaking at Osogbo City Stadium, venue of the May Day rally, Oyetola described workers as indispensable companions and engine room of his administration, saying it was on record that the state work force laboured stringently in the collective quest to building a truly-revitalised economy that is alive.

He said his administration has made the issues affecting workers utmost priority amidst the scarce resources available to government in the face of competing demands.

The workers, who went into jubilation after the approval of their demands, assured the governor that they were resolutely behind him and were ready to re-elect him for second term.

State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi, who expressed gratitude to the governor for granting the requests of workers, said the development will go a long way to further better their lives.

Adekomi said the express approval of the seven demands was a clear testimony that, indeed, the governor meant well for the workforce.

Also in their separate remarks, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Adekola Adebowale and Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Bayo Adejumo, reaffirmed their loyalty and support for the administration saying, “we are solidly behind you and your administration.”