Ogun TUC demands minimum wage implementation across cadres

Organised Labour in Ogun State has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to direct the immediate extension of implementation of the new N77,000 minimum wage to all workers across cadres on the payroll of the State Government.

According to the union, workers across all grade levels must benefit from the new wage without hesitation.

State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, made the call during the celebration of the 2025 May Day held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Lasisi explained that the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state has not been consistently applied across all grade levels.

The TUC chairman added that the union had notified the state government of the ugly development about the implementation of the new wage.

According to him, while the workers in the state have no doubt in the disposition of the governor to their welfare, the demand should be urgently be looked into and effect the needed changes.

"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" 

Lasisi listed other demands of the union to include adjustment of the pension allowances for retirees in line with the 2019 Federal Government circular on consequential adjustment of pensions, review of the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme to either suspended the scheme until the fund is made available for its implementation or alternatively be cancelled.

Others include considering the report of the Committee set up in 2022 to look into the issue,

"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. 

"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 chairman also said the union 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"

"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"

Lasisi, however, commended the Ogun State Government for its various welfare packages to make life meaningful for workers in the state.