By Oluwakemi Ishola
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions has lamented non-implementation of the national minimum wage by Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government. The body also expressed displeasure over what it described as fractional salaries at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED Oyo).
JAC in a communique issued at the end of her meeting held on Friday at the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic Saki noted that minimum wage is yet to be implemented at the tertiary institution sector against other sectors in the state. The body demanded Oyo State Government to commence implementation of the national minimum wage.
However, the body appreciated the state government for releasing the white paper reports of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa and The Oke Ogun polytechnic Saki. It demanded the immediate implementation of the white paper reports by the councils of the concerned institutions.
The communique reads in full:
The meeting considered situation report from all the institutions in respect to staff welfare and institutional advancement. The body appreciates the government for the constitution of governing Councils in all the institutions.
JAC also appreciates the effort of the state government in the arrear of staff welfare as demonstrated in the prompt payment of full salaries, implementation of minimum wage at the other sectors of the state work force and positive posture towards commencement at the tertiary institutions.
The body considered diverse issues of interest to the tertiary education sector thus:
ISSUES
1. Minimum wage: The body noted that minimum wage is yet to be implemented at the tertiary institution sector against other sectors in the state. The body therefore, demands, that government should immediately commence the implementation of the minimum wage at the sector by implementing the table so submitted by JAC, by September salary.
2. Financial autonomy: The body observed the unnecessary bottlenecks created by the operation of Platinum consultant as a parallel authorizing body to the councils of the institutions in the authorization of various spendings at the institutions. JAC hereby, demand that government should relieve platinum of the authorization responsibility and such should rest with the council as enshrined in the laws establishing each institution.
3. Fractional salaries at EACOED, Oyo: The body noted with displeasure the ugly trend of fractional salaries at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, through incomplete remittance of cooperative deductions since June, 2020 till date. The body observed with disbelief the untenable excuse of implementation of promotions and annual increments which was also effected without payment of fractional salaries in the other five institutions apart from EACOED. JAC hereby, demands an investigation of the situation and the reversal of this mode of payment immediately.
4. White Paper report: The body appreciates the effort of government in releasing the white paper reports of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa and The Oke Ogun polytechnic Saki. JAC hereby demands the immediate implementation of the white paper reports by the councils of the concerned institutions.
Conclusion
While JAC recognizes and appreciates the efforts of this present administration so far, the body would want all the issues highlighted above to be urgently addressed by government. This will help to realize the educational objectives of this present administration and equally sustain industrial peace and harmony, as we look forward to the reopening of school soonest with assured provision of facilities that will ensure safety of both staff and students from Covid-19 pandemic.
Thank you
Signed
