Osun workers flay delay in minimum wage implementation

Civil servants in Osun State have flayed the delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage by the state government.

Some of the civil servants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Osogbo, said the implementation of the wage was long overdue.

One of the workers, who simply identified herself as Opemipo, said workers in the state had been waiting for the announcement of the new minimum wage.

She said the delay in the implementation of the new wage was a delay tactic by the state government.

”I wonder what is causing the delay. Other neighbouring states have implemented theirs and I wonder what is delaying our own.

”This economic hardship is becoming unbearable and I appeal to Governor Ademola Adeleke to act fast,” she said.

Another civil servant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said workers had thought the state would be among the first set of states to implement the new minimum wage.

He said what the workers were getting on a monthly basis was no longer enough to cater for their families due to hardship in the country.

”We are worried over the delay. No matter how little the minimum wage may be, at least it will assist to fix one or two things.

“But now that the government is not coming forth in what it is willing to pay, it is a serious source of concern for us.

”States such as Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun and others have implemented theirs, why Osun?

“This shows lack of commitment to the welfare of workers.

”I hope the state government will come out in time to let the workers know their fate,” he said.

Another senior officer, who preferred anonymity, said it was insensitive of the state government not to release template on the implementation of the new minimum wage.

”I wonder if the state government knows what we the civil servants are passing through in this hard time.

”If they do, I don’t expect them to delay the implementation of the new wage.

”I hope the delay is not a ploy to pay unreasonable minimum wage to workers.

”We are struggling to cope with this harsh economic situation in the country and the delay in the implementation of the minimum wage by the state government is adding to our plight,” he said.

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, has said the committee constituted by the governor to look into the implementation of the minimum wage would soon complete its assignment for approval.

Alimi, in a recent statement, said the committee approved by the governor had been working to conclude the assignment without hitch.

The commissioner added that the governor was committed to a sustainable implementation of the minimum wage, in line with the administration’s five-point agenda.