NLC debunks salary cut agreement with Ajimobi

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State has clarified that the union had not agreed with the state government on plan to cut salaries of the state’s civil servants.

Speaking against the backdrop of comments by Governor Abiola Ajimobi on a radio programme at the weekend that the issue of a cut in the salary of workers was one of the issues discussed at the last meeting held with the union, the NLC chairman in the state, Waheed Olojede said the issue discussed at the meeting was the payment of the balance of outstanding April salary to officers on Grade Level 13 and above, and, that the bailout allotted to the state be used to clear outstanding May, June, July and August salary arrears and pensions.

Olojede noted that it would be inconceivable for the labour union to discuss a cut in salaries when the current minimum wage was due for a review.

He added that the government’s restructuring had nothing to do with a reduction in salaries but in the number of ministries.

“During Saturday’s radio programme which featured Governor Abiola Ajimobi, I received several phone calls from workers and stakeholders asking when we entered into an agreement with government for a cut in salaries. We never agreed with government on a cut in salary.”

“We met with the governor last Monday, but the issues we discussed were the issue of the payment of the balance of the April salary to officers on GL13 and above. We urged him that once the bailout was released, it should be used to clear all outstanding arrears and pensions for May, June, July and August.
It would not be proper for any labour union to talk about cut in salaries as we will continue to agitate for increase in wages.

“In fact, the wage law says that agitation for increase in minimum wage should commence after five years, and the current law was made in 2011. How can we talk about a cut in salary when the current minimum wage is not a living wage enough for workers to have their three square meals?”