We Have Paid Salaries, Pensions, Return To Work – Makinde Tells Protesting Workers

Governor Seyi Makinde has asked all aggrieved civil servants in Oyo State to return to their respective offices and duty posts on Monday, August 6, 2023.

The governor said the state government has paid and has been paying salaries and pensions before the 25th of every month without failure since 2020.

Naija News reports that Makinde stated this in a state-wide broadcast during the weekend.

The governor, who was reacting to a series of protests at the state secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, by civil servants, maintained that food security, transportation and the sectors are among the immediate areas being targeted by his government to alleviate the economic difficulties facing residents of the state.

Makinde said his government would pay the two months’ deductions owed the workers with their August salary while it will also explore further options on dialogue.

He encouraged the union leaders to return to the negotiating table to discuss any increases in salary or possible harmonisation of pension payments.

Makinde further announced that apart from the payment of the cooperatives deduction to be effected and paid with August salaries, the government will increase the number of buses made available for civil servants to commute to and from work from 9 to 12.

He added that his government would pay the health insurance premium for all pensioners under the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) scheme, adding that any pensioner who already made payment would be refunded.

“I am addressing you today to share our short-term plans, which will play a huge role in alleviating the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies and the resultant economic difficulties being faced by our people. You will recall that on June 9, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy, we announced measures to be taken to cushion the effect of the removal.

“We have paid all civil servants’ salaries and pensions on or before the 25th of every month without fail. And since January 2020, we have paid the minimum wage and consequential adjustments to all cadres of civil servants every month without fail.

“Presently, the civil servants’ wage bill stands at N7.2 billion monthly. We have continued to pay this despite having a state revenue of just below N10 billion monthly. It is, therefore, clear to understand why any increase in salaries or pensions may not be possible at this time,” Makinde said.

Some of the requests by the Oyo State workers include payment of salary deductions, palliatives for workers, upward review of pension allowances, payment of leave bonuses, payment of gratuities to retirees who have been stagnated since 2021 and release of promotion letters for the 2021 and 2022.