Ondo workers during May Day celebration | File photo
Workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo state chapter, have called on Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of the state, to increase the minimum wage for state workers to N256,950.
The current minimum wage in Ondo stands at N73,000, which the union says is insufficient amid rising living costs.
In a letter dated September 19, and signed by Ademola Olapade, Ondo NLC chairman, and Akin Sunday, the secretary, the union also demanded a pension review for retirees.
The letter praised the state government for prompt salary and pension payments and timely promotions but stressed that inflation, currency devaluation, and subsidy removal have eroded workers’ purchasing power.
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The union highlighted Ondo’s growing internally generated revenue and federal allocations, attributing this to improved oil earnings and favourable market conditions.
They reminded the state government of its earlier commitment to review workers’ welfare in line with revenue growth.
Citing Imo state’s recent approval of a N104,000 minimum wage despite being a non-oil producing state, the union urged Ondo to lead by example given its oil wealth.
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“Workers are the engine of governance and economic productivity, and pensioners deserve dignity after years of service,” the letter reads.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ondo state council and its affiliate Unions are formally demanding the immediate upward review of the minimum wage for Ondo State workers to the sum of #256,950.
“This figure will form a realistic reflection of the current economic indices and the prevailing cost of survival for an average.
“We respectfully urge the Ondo state government to, without further delay, set up a negotiation committee composed of government officials, labour representatives and stakeholders to deliberate and negotiate on the proposed wage structure in a timely and responsible manner.”
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The NLC called for the immediate formation of a negotiation committee involving government officials and labour representatives to discuss the proposed wage increase.
