Representatives of the Oyo State Government and the Organised Labour will begin negotiations on the consequential adjustment for a new minimum wage tomorrow (Thursday).
This development follows Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent announcement regarding the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage, contingent on resolving the issue of salary adjustments.
During a recent briefing, Governor Makinde declared, “My administration would commence the payment of N70,000 minimum wage once the issue of consequential salary adjustment has been addressed.” He also extended the N25,000 wage award to state workers and a N15,000 award to pensioners for an additional three months.
The meeting scheduled for Thursday is anticipated to set the tone for subsequent negotiations, with the government expected to present its proposed salary adjustment table for each grade level.
Meanwhile, labour representatives will reference the Federal Government’s consequential adjustment template as a preferred model for discussion.
In a letter inviting the labour representatives to the meeting at the Secretariat, the government outlined the expected attendees. However, the Organised Labour expressed concerns regarding the government’s classification of its representatives during a meeting on Tuesday.
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Noting that key labour figures were not accurately classified, the Organised Labour plans to submit a letter to the government today, detailing their proposed classifications for the representatives attending Thursday’s negotiations.
In particular, the Labour movement is contesting the government’s proposal that the Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) Chairman, Mr. Martins Kayode, represent the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria. Instead, they insist that Mr. Kayode should participate in the negotiations as the NLC Chairman.
Furthermore, the labour movement is requesting that Seun Olanipekun, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, be included in the negotiations covering Councils 1, 2, and 3, rather than being limited to only Council 2 as suggested by the government.
Additionally, in their letter written to the government on Wednesday, the union requested that Mr. Bosun Olabiyi, the Trade Union Council Chairman, be part of the negotiation in his capacity as TUC Chairman, rather than under a different classification.
