By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
First Published in THISDAY, August Friday 18, 2023
The unusual rapport and camaraderie currently playing out between the workers’ unions and the Ekiti State government is, to several stakeholders, strange and unprecedented.
Before now in Ekiti, labour unions and the state government were always at loggerheads demanding each others’ heads in a constant battle of wits and struggles by the unions in order to secure better working conditions for the working class.
But currently, the situation has changed under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s led government in the state.
The labour unions in Ekiti State, comprising local chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and others, are eulogizing governor Oyebanji openly and without any regret citing his many workers’ friendly policies and performances in few months in office as reasons for their favourable disposition to the State’s Chief Executive.
Asked what was responsible for this unusual robust relationship between the labour and the current state Governor, the labour leaders pointed out that Governor Oyebanji’s actions, and respect for he working class has unprecedented in the history of labour/government relationship in Nigeria, stressing that Governor Oyebanji has assented to all the proposals brought before him regarding the welfare and well-being of the workers without hesitation.
Specifically, they described governor Oyebanji as the first Governor who had taken concrete and enduring measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people tp cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
Various leaders of the unions who spoke to this Correspondent, including the chairman of the joint negotiating council, Ekiti State, Chairman of the Health Sector Union and the Chairman of Medical and Health Worker’s union in the state, Comrade Ajuloko Olufemi, said: “We are praising the government because of the unexpected recognition given to the labour and the workers of Ekiti State. We’ve had a government in this state who would have drawn their plan, upon inviting the labour leaders , they would table their proposals and tell them what they want to do and we couldn’t question any of those proposals, you there not to ask that government questions but comply.
“ We had another government that even walked out on us. We’ve seen an administration in this state that said leave bonus is not a right but a privilege! We equally have seen a government that did not recognize labour leaders in the state but we survived all these. Now , the present administration of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji deserves praises because we wrote to him, we presented our requests to him and in no distant time, he constituted a committee involving the labour leaders and the committee met and our requests were granted.
“For Instance, the issue of
CONHESS has been an aged-long agitation. Will anybody say it is a crime that he found himself working with the local government? when colleagues in state with whom he has same educational qualification earns far more than him?
We presented this to Mr. Governor and he constituted a committee chaired by the commissioner for health and they deliberated on how to bridge the disparity and at the end of if the day, he approved 90% of the 100% of
CONHESS of the local government, “ he said.
In the same vein, Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun listed others reasons for which the labour unions are praising Oyebanji. According to him, these include, “Payment of one month’s pension arrears for State and
Local Government pensioners. Implementation of consequential adjustment for workers on GL. 14 to GL. 17 for State and Local Government workers.
“Implementation of salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals’ Management Board. Implementation of financial benefits of 2020 and 2021 promotions for State and Local Government workers. Immediate payment of one-month subvention arrears to tertiary institutions.
“Provision of free shuttle buses for workers and students to ease transportation to/from work and
school respectively.Interventions designed to directly impact our poorest and most vulnerable residents.
These are: Payment of N5,000 as a conditional cash transfer to 10,000 households from August to December 2023, with emphasis on our aged people.
Inclusion of 10,000 persons in the Ulera Wa health insurance programme.
“A food distribution programme will commence this month.The distribution of inputs to farmers as well as financial support to small businesses and our informal sector. It should be noted that the 2017 leave bonus, one month subvention, and one arrear of pension have been paid”. Adigun submitted.
Citing his own reasons also, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC state chapter Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde said “I am happy to graciously inform you that the palliative committee has rounded up sittings and the followings as you have been earlier informed shall be officially pronounced before the week runs out: Implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage 14 to 17. Implementation from next salary payment.2017 leave bonus payment: this month. 2018 arrears for subvented institutions.
“Informal sector: 10,000 shall be considered for monthly ₦5k each, and 10,000 people shall be considered for medical attention NHIS, Arugbo shall benefit from this package. Pensioners shall equally be considered for arrears. Five luxurious buses have been purchased to ease the transportation system, these shall start working soonest.
“90%implementation of CONHENSS, Harzard and parity.2020 and 2021 promotion arrears shall be implemented and used in payment of next salary. Formal and informal sector shall have a course to smile comrades. Food stuff shall also be given to members of the public, modalities shall be worked out.
Also the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA Ekiti/ SW Zone, Dr. Babatunde O. Rosiji said, “We are blessed with a Governor that is committed to repositioning the health sector in EKITI State and improving the welfare of workers in general.
At the inception of our executive tenure in NMA, we made a resolve to actively partner with the State Government borne out of the conviction that progress can only be made in an atmosphere of peace.
“Mr Governor is just determined to do things right. His determination met our own readiness to partner with the Government in the overall interest of the people. The action of the Governor will go a long way in stabilizing our ailing health sector by helping to draw the best of hands into the service of EKITI State Government”. Dr.Rosiji submitted
On how Governor Oyebanji and current governonment could continue to sustain this laudable relationship, Special Adviser to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode said, “the labour in Ekiti enjoys cordial relationship with the Governor and the government, essentially because of the sincerity of the government and the transparency and accountability policy of the government which is making life better for the workers and the good people of the state
“The Governor, no doubt has prioritized and continue to prioritize workers welfare. So, when the issue of palliative measures for the citizens came up, the Governor drafted the leadership of organised labour to be part of the committee to advise government. And they were happy to be part of it.
“As the governor is taking care of workers he is also taking care of pensioners. This is evident in regular payment of pensions and concerted efforts at defraying outstanding gratuities.The Governor has since out in place many worker- friendly policies and programmes aimed at ensuring their welfare and wellbeing. This include training and capacity building opportunities for workers, payment of outstanding allowances, regularly parley with labour leaders and personal interaction with workers on duty post.
“The cordial relationship between organised labour and the government of Ekiti is not unusual. The cordial relationship started right from the onset of the administration when the Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, made it clear that the welfare and wellbeing of the workers is paramount to him”. Oyebode added.
From the above, it’s noteworthy to point out that the Governor is making concrete efforts towards realizing his manifestos to the people of the state. These included workers’ welfare which he promised to privatize. A determination to sustain this laudable tradition in subsequent engagements with workers would however, be what to watch out for in the coming years and days of Governor Oyebanji.
Credit: Gbenga Sodeinde@THISDAY