Strike: Makinde Holds out Olive Branch to Workers

By Iyabo Adebisi

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has directed civil servants to resume to their duty posts on Monday, as his government would pay the two months deductions owed the workers with their August salary, while it would also explore further options on dialogue.

In a state-wide broadcast, Governor Makinde said his government remained open to parleying with labour to ensure that the rights of the workers of Oyo State are protected.

He encouraged the union leaders to return to the negotiating table to discuss any increases in salary or possible harmonisation of pension payments. 

It would be recalled that Oyo state workers in the last five days had embarked on protest over non -remitance of deductions from salaries. 

Speaking on the protest and blockage of entry points into the Secretariat, the governor stated that his government has been one of the states that are favourably committed to workers’ welfare since he assumed office in 2019.

 “We have paid all civil servants’ salaries and pensions on or before the 25th of every month without fail. And since January 2020, we have paid the minimum wage and consequential adjustments to all cadres of civil servants every month without fail. 

“Presently, the civil servants’ wage bill stands at N7.2 billion monthly. We have continued to pay this despite having a state revenue of just below N10 billion monthly. It is, therefore, clear to understand why any increase in salaries or pensions may not be possible at this time. 

Governor Makinde however, announced that apart from the payment of the cooperatives deduction to be effected and paid with August salaries, the government would increase the number of buses made available for civil servants to commute to and from work from 9 to 12, so that more routes are covered to lessen the transportation burden of workers.

He further stated that the government would pay the health insurance premium for all pensioners under the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) scheme and that any pensioner who already made payment would be refunded.

The governor equally stated that the government would resume the monthly payment of gratuities to pensioners so as to continue to clear the backlog of gratuity payments inherited by our administration. 

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