The Joint Labour Movement, Osun State chapter, has commended the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for approving the payment of outstanding 30-month half salary arrears of workers and pensioners in the state.
The Labour Union gave the commendation in a letter addressed to the governor, titled “Re: Matters Affecting Public Servants (Active And Retired)”.
The Joint Labour Movement consisted of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).
The letter, dated 2nd February, 2023, was jointly signed by Comrades Jacob Adekomi, Adekola Adebowale and Lasun Akindele, state chairmen of the NLC, TUC and JNC, respectively.
The Labour Union complimented Governor Adeleke for approving the welfare packages for active workers and retirees in the state.
The Labour leaders stated that the action of the governor was a commendable positive response to their various interfaces on the plight of workers and pensioners in the state.
They said the kind gesture of the governor, most importantly, the approval for the payment of outstanding deductions by the previous administration in the state will boost the morale of active public servants and renew hope of retired officers.
“The Joint Labour Movement of Osun State, presents its compliments to the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
“[We] also want to thank your esteemed person for your kind gesture in approving welfare packages in a circular letter, dated 31” January, 2022, Ref No.SMD.408/7, for active workers and retirees in response to our various interface with Your Excellency.
“The payment of salary arrears, contributory pensions, half salary arrears, cash backing of promotion exercises and most importantly outstanding deductions will boost the morale of active public servants and renew hope of retired officers.
“Therefore, the Labour Movement, on behalf of the entire workers and retirees pledge our continued loyalty and support to your good government for this act of kindness which will definitely serve as a veritable drive for increased productivity of our dutiful members,” it was stated in the letter.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had, via a circular from the Office of the state Head of Service, dated 31 January, 2023, approved the payment of 30-month salary arrears of workers and pensioners in the state.
As contained in a release by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the circular detailed the template adopted by the Senator Adeleke administration to offset the inherited wage debt for workers and pensioners in the state and local government services.
The governor approved the immediate payment of arrears of half salaries for January 2016 and subsequent payment of arrears of half salaries once in a quarter, beginning from the second quarter of the year 2023.
“Governor Adeleke also approved the payment of arrears of half salaries for Contributory Pensioners in the State and Local Government Service who are yet to receive their bonds, with effect from February 2023.
“Four months outstanding deductions between May and June 2019, February 2020 and October 2022 was included in the welfare package of Governor Adeleke, with the immediate payment of May 2019 deductions while the remaining three months deduction are to be paid at once per quarter.
“In all, Governor Adeleke approved the cash-backing of the 2019 to 2022 promotion exercise for all active civil servants,” Olawale Rasheed had stated in a statement issued on Wednesday.
