Minimum Wage: The Polytechnic Ibadan Staff Reject Government Proposition
Minimum Wage: The Polytechnic Ibadan Staff Reject Government Proposition.
Workers of The Polytechnic Ibadan have expressed dissatisfaction over the non readiness of the state government to fully implement the minimum wage.
At a general meeting of academic and non-academic staff convened by the leaders of the Staff Union, it was reported that the state government has refused to implement the enhanced salary for workers in tertiary institutions.
Comrade Ibrahim Akande, NASU Chairman, in his submission, noted that the table proposed by the state government is alien to the Polytechnic system, as it included Peculiar Allowance and Earned Allowance, which are only obtainable in the College of Education while Housing Allowance was removed from the salaries.
He reiterated that they are not negotiating a new salary, rather asking for an increment of the basic salaries of staff, as proposed by the National Wages and Salaries Commission, and accepted by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE). He observed that some State Polytechnics have been enjoying the new rates, and that workers of The Polytechnic Ibadan deserve the best, as their efforts have led to the Institution being rated among the best in the country.
The Chairman of SSANIP, Comrade Biodun Abegunde noted that it was illegal for the state government to draw up a table without the involvement of the Governing Council, which is the employer of all staff.
Immediate Past Chairman of SSANIP, Comrade Gbenga Akinola noted that there had never been a time when workers of all institutions earn the same salaries. He noted that the proposed removal of Housing Allowance will have an effect on the gratuities and pensions, hence should be resisted lest it leads to a lifetime slavery.
While reacting, a member of staff noted other issues such as high taxation should be addressed, as they are being taxed much more than their contemporaries. He noted that negotiations should be done with the Governing Council.
Another member of staff noted that the congressional representatives at the Governing Council should brief the staff on what the council is doing to implement the minimum wage. He noted that the Council is central to the issue, but it seems the Council isn’t up to its responsibilities which neccesitated Union Leaders meeting with government officials. He noted that 2019 promotion exercise was delayed for almost a year due to the non-composition of the Governing Councils, and wondered why the state Government is passing over the council on the issue of minimum wage.
The assembly constituted a negotiation team to join the Union Leaders to interface with the Governing Council, towards an amicable settlement, failure of which industrial action is inevitable.
