Workers in polytechnics and colleges of education across Oyo state have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the failure of their institutions’ management to implement the new minimum wage, despite its approval by Governor Seyi Makinde.
In a statement issued by the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Oyo State, Dr. Kola Lawal, the workers warned that if the new wage structure is not implemented by Wednesday, February 5, 2025, they will withdraw their services indefinitely from Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Lawal emphasised that the strike would be total and comprehensive until the issue was fully resolved.
While acknowledging Governor Makinde’s commitment to workers’ welfare, he urged those responsible for implementing his directive to act swiftly to prevent disruptions in academic activities.
He called on relevant authorities, stakeholders, and well-meaning individuals to intervene, stressing that workers remain dedicated to their duties but will not continue to tolerate the neglect of their rights and entitlements.
The statement read: “The workers of polytechnics and colleges of education in Oyo State wish to bring to the public’s attention the continued delay in the implementation of the approved minimum wage for our institutions, despite the commendable efforts of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to improve workers’ welfare in the state.
“It is on record that the Governor, in his characteristic commitment to workers’ well-being, magnanimously approved the payment of the new minimum wage for all workers in Oyo State.
“Furthermore, to ensure smooth implementation, the state government increased subvention to institutions, including Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, for the purpose of implementing the new minimum wage for workers in these institutions to be paid accordingly.
“However, despite these provisions, the management of our institutions has failed to implement the payment of the new minimum wage as expected.
Notably, other institutions, such as LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, which received the same percentage increase in subvention at the same time, immediately implemented the new minimum wage for January 2025.
“Unfortunately, workers in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Oyo State have not received the same treatment, even though the funds meant for this purpose have been made available.
“This failure has further worsened the financial hardships faced by workers, especially in the face of rising inflation and economic challenges.
We view this development as a clear neglect of our welfare and an outright failure to uphold the good intentions of the state government, which had taken proactive steps to ensure that workers are adequately remunerated.
“It is unacceptable that while other institutions enjoy the new minimum wage, workers in our Polytechnics and Colleges of Education are left behind despite being equally deserving.
In light of this, we demand the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage for January 2025, as approved by the Governor, and insist that salaries from February 2025 onward reflect the new wage structure without further delay.
“The delay in implementing this policy has placed undue financial strain on workers who are expected to deliver quality education under increasingly difficult conditions.”
When contacted, the Commissioner for Education in Oyo State, Prof. Soliu Adelabu said his Ministry is trying to invite the workers.
