LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Osun Workers And The Hope For A New Minimum Wage

Workers in the state of Osun and nationwide were last week thrilled when it was announced that the bill which allowed their pays to be upped has finally been assented to by the president. 

With the president signing to law the bill,  it makes it criminal for any worker in the country who is working for both state and federal level to be paid less than  the N30,000 benchmark, on the other hand, those in the private sector should not be paid below the pegged amount.

However, most governors have yelled out at how it has become an up the hill task to see to the Payment of the new minimum wage anytime soon in their respective states. Few have maintained a deafening silence, which cannot be said to mean an effusive acceptance or vehement rejection. With the dillydallying, the perceived cherry news is snowballing into another gimmick. 

Only few states which include Kano, Anambra among others have started preparation for the payment.  For instance, the Anambra govt is jostling to be among the first to pay the new minimum wage. Not that he had the money kept somewhere,  for those who care to know the Anambra State governor , Willie Obiano , said the state would source about N 2bn monthly to pay the new minimum wage. Commendable! That is the kind of news that delights.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday has vowed to leave no stone unturned to ensure the implementation of the new national minimum wage of N30,000 recently signed into law.

The President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba described many leaders of government across all tiers as enemies of the workers.

In his words, ”We thank God that the struggle for a new wage which began in 2011, was finally laid to rest with the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday . The assent has made it a law, therefore making it incumbent on all employers of labour to pay every Nigerian worker N30, 000 as minimum wage.

“Unfortunately, leaders of governments at all tiers are enemies of workers. They never at anytime want to succumb to the provision of the law, when it comes to the right and welfare of the workers. But having secured N30 ,000, we will make sure all governors implement it 100 per cent.

“The process has the inclusion and full participation of the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum . We will go ahead in prosecuting 100 per cent of the new pay to the Nigerian workers,” Wabbaadded .

We the workers in Osun expect nothing but full compliance with the new pay for employees in the state and as a matter of fact it must be implemented within the shortest possible time.  This would serves as a test to Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s promise, he repeatedly roared to the ears of the people while seeking to get power. Even after, he vowed to prioritize the welfare of workers in the state. He must show to workers in the state that it is not just a political statement. He should not just give is stand, but prepare a supplementary budget where this can be accommodated. Only with this we will know he’s serious with the law.

•AKANDE MUBARAQ,

Osogbo, State of Osun.