‘We are disappointed,’ Oyo workers lament new minimum wage table

‘We are disappointed,’ Oyo workers lament new minimum wage table

Khalid ABRAHAM

Workers in Oyo state have expressed mixed feelings over the new minimum wage consequential adjustment signed into law in Oyo state Tuesday by the representatives of the government and organized labour.

“This falls below our expectations,” is how many workers in the state employ, put it while speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com. “As Pacesetter State, we expected consequential adjustment that is commensurate with the new minimum wage of N80, 000, approved by the state governor, Engr. Makinde. But what we saw on the table is disappointing.”

“This is dashed hope,” another civil servant, who spoke under condition of anonymity like others bemoaned. “If you look at the table signed, and you look at that of Osun that is N75, 000, overall the latter is far better. Look at the amounts in many of the grade levels, the amounts worked for Osun workers are fatter.”

Another remarked, “This is too bad. There is no even arrears. We expected more than this, our hope was high, this is disappointing. And when you think of the huge allocations that are now paid to state governments, this amount is bad. It can’t cushion the severe effects of economic hardship facing us in the country.”

As the government is chastised for “playing a fast one on the workers,” the labour leaders also received some bashing, “Labour has sold us. They failed us this time round, they lied to us that they were studying figures of other states, now see the result. This is one of the lowest. Then, they say nominally from July 2024 but financially from January 2025 as if we are talking of promotion where they use such dubious terms. This is not a good package”

Meanwhile, another anonymous commentator opined that that aspect of nominally and financially “favours those who retired between July 2024 and December 31, 2025, as their pension and gratuity will be captured using the new wage.”

“Well, we thank God, we thank Governor Makinde,” is how another person reacted, another stated, “It is better than none. Some said it’s good, others noted otherwise.”