Trade Union Congress (TUC) has demanded for immediate extension of implementation of the new N77,000 minimum wage to workers who are payroll of Ogun State Government across all grade levels
The union is also calling on the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration to mandate the Bureau of State Pension to consider adjusting pension allowances for retirees in line with the 2019 Federal Government circular on consequential adjustment of pensions, in addition to review of the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, saying it should be suspended till fund is made available for its implementation or alternatively be cancelled
The State Council Chairman of TUC, Comrade Akeem Lasisi who made the demands on Thursday during the celebration of the 2025 May Day held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, expressed concern over the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state, saying it implementation has not been consistently applied across all grade levels
"We wish to note that implementing the new minimum wage of ₦77,000 has not been consistently applied across all grade levels. We recently called the attention of the Secretary to the State Government to it, and we have no doubt that he will take a cursory look at the table with the Head of Service and the Ministry of Finance.Your Excellency, we absolutely trust your disposition to workers' welfare. Kindly request that the new minimum wage of ₦77,000 be implemented across all grade levels"
On the consequential adjustment of monthly pension for retirees , the TUC urged Governor Abiodun to consider the report of the Committee set up in 2022 to look into the issue, so as to make life meaningful for the pensioners
"We wish to recall that a Committee was set up in 2022 to look into the issue of consequential adjustment of the salaries of pensioners, and the report of that Committee should be looked into.
We believe that, like the ripple effects of a fish in water determine its weight, your intellectual capabilities and gracious leadership can ensure that Ogun State continues to be a leader in the welfare of workers and retirees", the union pleaded
The union demanded for suspension of the Contributory Pension Scheme to protect the interest of retirees under the scheme
"Public Servants in Ogun State unanimously oppose the scheme's implementation. We urge the government to listen to our demand for immediate and total suspension of further deductions from workers' salaries because we expect more in terms of commitment to administering the scheme faithfully since its inception. We expect a total commitment to the CPS law as the failure to remit funds deducted to the Pension Fund Custodians through the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) within seven days is a serious offence under CPS law.
We propose either temporarily returning public servants to the old scheme or commencing the implementation in the year when the scheme began".
"Alternatively, the implementation could be postponed for full implementation when the government is better prepared to finance adequately as contained in the Ogun State pension reform law (amended in 2013)"
The State TUC equally resisted the deductions of N1,500 monthly by the Ogun Health Insurance Agency contrary to the 50 percent of monthly premium of the salaries of workers agreed in the the against Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with them
"We must voice our dissatisfaction regarding the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency's decision to breach the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with them. The MoU stipulates that 50% of the monthly premium should be deducted from public servants' salaries. Specifically, the agency has repeatedly deducted ₦1,500 from each worker's salary in March and April without consulting the leadership. We have decided to report this action of the Agency to the Office of the Head of Service, and we are using this opportunity to bring it to your attention. This action contradicts the MoU, which states that both parties must document and sign any written amendments or modifications"
The union while lauding the Insurance initiative launched for the formal sector in 2024, expressed worry that such deductions could jeopardize the laudable objectives of the programme
"This laudable programme must be guarded jealously, and we appreciate the State Government for the formal sector launching during the year 2024 Public Service Week"
TUC commended the Ogun State Government for its various welfare packages to make life meaningful for workers
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