Oyo State governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has constituted a committee to review salary and wages of workers in the state.
The action of the governor, as stated in a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, was in consonance with his proactive approach to governance
The salary review committee which was constituted during a meeting with Labour leaders in the state at the Governor’s Office, on Monday, has eight weeks to turn in its report.
The meeting was attended by the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kayode Martins and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Olatunbosun Olabiyi,
Makinde said, with the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), it became imperative for the government to take another look at the salary structure to cushion its effects on workers.
He said: “For us, with all sincerity, I think it is time to engage and ensure that we are proactive, irrespective of what is coming from the federal level.
“We are already prepared for it here and we can run our own programmes.
“Yes, the fuel subsidy removal is going to affect all of us but we do have control over certain things in Oyo State, and one of these is to be proactive and engage ourselves.
“They may call for strike or certain actions at the federal level but the labour leaders in Oyo State must be aware of our own situation.
“So, we must appreciate the fact that our economy is fragile.
“We must be proactive and set the tone without prejudice to whatever negotiation that is happening at the federal level.”
The governor further said: “I can say it to the whole world that in Oyo State there is no trust deficit between the government and Labour leaders.
“It actually goes both ways. If we agree on what to do, I don’t look back, and if you have my commitment on anything, you should not look back.
“Whatever that is happening at the national level should not create any trust deficit between us. So, I welcome you all to Omituntun 2.0.”
Makinde also seized the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Labour leaders for their support during his first term in office.
In his reaction, Oyo NLC chairman, Kayode Martins, said minimum salary and wage review was overdue.
He therefore called on the state government to work towards the quick realization of an upward review of salary of workers in the state.
The meeting was attended by Labour unions leaders, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Head of Service, Bunmi Oni; and a former deputy governor, Ambasador Taofeek Arapaja .
Others in attendance included a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; former Special Adviser on Labour, Bayo Titilola-Sodo; wife of a former governor, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja; and traditional leaders, among others.
