Minimum Wage: After Eight Weeks, Ogun Govt, Organised Labour Finally Agree N30,500

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
After eight weeks of intensive negotiations between the Organised Labour and Ogun State Government over the payment of N30,500 minimum wage for workers in the state, both parties have finally agreed on the said amount.
The agreement to pay the amount was reached in a memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by the representatives of Organised Labour which comprised; Joint Negotiating Council (JNC); Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Trade Union Congress ( TUC) and Head of Service, Tpl (Mrs.) Amope Chokor, who led government delegation.
The payment was to be effective from January 1st, 2010, while both parties also agreed on the Consequential Adjustment of 27 percent for grade level 07, GL 08 (20%), GL 09 (19%), GL 10 to 14 (15%) and GL 15 to 17 (14%).
The Head of Service speaking after signing the MOU, commended the Organised Labour for their support and understanding within the past eight weeks of negotiation and thanked the governor for the good gesture which would spur the workers to be more productive and efficient in their service delivery to the people of the state.
She said: “We thank God for the past eight weeks and finally, we have agreed with the labour and we thank his Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for approving N30,500 minimum wage for workers. 
“We believe that this good gesture of government will make our workers to be more productive and efficient, and it will translate to more effective service delivery in the state; so that the people can benefit from it.”
Similarly, speaking on behalf of Organised Labour, the Chairman, JNC, Comrade Olanrewaju Folorunsho thanked the governor for taking the bold step in approving the minimum wage. While appreciating the workers for their patience during the negotiation, he charged them to reciprocate the gesture by working hard to bring more wealth to the state.
On his part, the Chairman, NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole said that the agreement was signed in the interest of the workers of the state after they considered its affordability and sustainability, saying that it would be a morale booster for the workers in general.