By Adeola Badru

THE Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Oyo State chapter, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde led administration for the ongoing review of the sacked workers on the payroll of the government by the immediate-past administration.

Seyi Makinde

Chairman of the congress in the state, Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo on Tuesday gave the commendation after leading labour leaders under the aegis of Organised Labour and other affiliates bodies under the NLC on a courtesy call to the governor at his Agodi, Secretariat office.

He noted that despite all entreaties by the labour leaders to appeal to the immediate-past government in the state, many workers were sacked without following established due process.

While disclosing that the team were on the visit to thank the governor for his kind gestures to the workers since assumption of office, Titilola-Sodo said making certain demands on the government was also tabled before the governor.

The NLC boss, however, expressed appreciation to the Makinde government for the prompt payment of workers salaries and payment of gratuity and pension of workers in the state, noting that such gestures have been a big morale booster to the workers in the state.

“We as organized labour discussed various issues concerning the welfare of workers in the state, such as payment of salaries, emolument and outstanding debt and promotion.”

“So many issues concerning workers in the state including that of retirees who have been unfairly treated in the past. We have also acknowledged some of the step taken by Governor Seyi Makinde since he got into office by establishing the GSM days, that is 25th of every month which every worker in the state would collect their salaries.”

“We as the organized labour in Oyo State, the NLC itself and its affiliated bodies are concerned about all the various issues concerning the welfare of workers in the state among the so many other issues that have resulted in the unfair treatment of workers in the past.”

“Of course we have acknowledged some of the step taken by Governor Seyi Makinde as retired elders no longer collect their salaries in a fraction of 20 and 30 per cent, they have been getting full pension since he got to the office.”

“But however we still have some other demands, some other requests that are still outstanding which the governor has promised to look into it and proffer a lasting solution. It’s unprecedented, of course, we still have issues but the point is quite a departure from what obtains in the past, we hope and pray that the cordial relationship is sustained.”

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Speaking on the issue presented before the governor, Sodo said it includes, “the minimum wage, the issue of conversion and inter cadre transfer, the issues of owned salaries arrears of local governments in the state, among others.”

“Although we know that a committee has been approved which is already working on how to tackle that challenge and so all other challenges in various sector.”

The improvements of the infrastructure in the state pertaining to health facilities and our schools, primary and secondary which are in an abject state of repair and so many others and we appreciate that levies have been cancelled in all schools and we request that running cost should be granted to such institutions for them to function optimally.”

“There is verification exercise going on what is going on is a review of the situation of our sacked colleague and we are very pleased about it. A lot of them have been unfairly treated, a lot of them have been sacked unfairly without a fair hearing and come to review their situation. We are applauding that one,” he said.

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