Following his giant strides in Labour sector in Oyo state, the governor of the state, Engr. Seyi Makinde has given a meritorious award to his Special Adviser on Labour Affairs, Barrister Bayo Titilola-Sodo for his excellent performance and achievements in the sector.
The award was given on Thursday night at the Oyo State 2022 Governance Retreat with the theme, “Finishing Strong”.
Titilola-Sodo, who was honoured at the 2-Day retreat alongside other political appointees, for his outstanding inputs to the turn around in Labour sector, which includes creation of 20 new Permanent Secretaries among teachers and Educators for efficient and effective implementation of the Education policy of the state.
Reducing the waiting period of teachers for promotion in order to motivate them, enabling primary school teachers to rise beyond GL15, increase of ceiling of car refurbishing and housing loans, inclusion of teachers in decision making by appointing them as members in both TESCOM and SUBEB, resuscitation of training in the Oyo State public service.
Resuscitation of merit awards to deserving workers irrespective of status, clearing of a whopping 4 years backlog of promotion, reinstatement of wrongfully dismissal/retired workers, respect for one of the attributes of a bureaucracy which is security of tenure, consistent payment of 13th month salary, prompt salary and leave bonus payment as at when due and payment of gratuities and pensions which have contributed immensely to the economic stability enjoyed in Oyo State.
It was gathered that since the inception of this present administration, there has been a robust relationship between the workers and government unlike in the past.
Parts of other changes in the Labour sector is the fact that the state has been paying N30,500 minimum wage which the payment took effect in January, 2020 and with the payment of arrears of the minimum wage in March, 2020.
It was gathered that the minimum wage negotiation was the first of its kind in Oyo state unlike the previous administrations, the negotiation was devoid of rancor, violence, protest and strike.
Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the Retreat, Special Adviser on Labour Affairs disclosed that the governor does not wait for Federal allocation before paying the workers.
“The minimum wage in Oyo State is #30,500 and we have continued to meet our responsibilities as at when due. Paying workers’ entitlement is not limited to the active workers, as the senior citizens are not left behind”.
Speaking at the Retreat, Governor Makinde said the retreat was an opportunity to evaluate the governance policies being executed by his administration.
“The 2-Day retreat is an opportunity to evaluate the governance policies being executed by our administration to enable us make informed decisions about any adjustments we need to make as we strive to serve the good people of Oyo State better.”
