Hardship unbearable – Osun workers fume over delay in minimum wage implementation

Civil servants in Osun have flayed the delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage by the state government.

Some of the civil servants, who spoke with NAN on Monday in Osogbo, said the implementation of the wage was long overdue.

A staff, identified as Opemipo, said workers in the state had been waiting for the announcement of the new minimum wage, adding that the delay in the implementation of the new wage was a delay tactic by the state government.

”I wonder what is causing the delay. Other neighbouring states have implemented theirs and I wonder what is delaying our own.

”This economic hardship is becoming unbearable and I appeal to Gov. Adeleke to act fast,” she said.

Another civil servant, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the workers had thought that the state would be among the first set of states to implement the new minimum wage.

He said what the workers were getting on a monthly basis was no longer enough to care for their families due to hardship in the country.

” We are worried over the delay. No matter how little the minimum wage might be, at least it will assist in fixing one or two things.

“But now that the government is not coming forth with what it is willing to pay, it is a serious source of concern for us.

” States like Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun and others have implemented theirs, why Osun?.

“This shows a lack of commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.

” I hope the state government will come out on time to let the workers know their fate”, he said.

Another senior officer, who preferred anonymity, said it was insensitive of the state government not to release a template on the implementation of the new minimum wage.

” I wonder if the state government knows what we the civil servants are going through in this hard time.

” If they do, I don’t expect them to delay the implementation of the new wage.

” I hope the delay is not a plot to pay an unreasonable minimum wage to workers.

” We are struggling to cope with this harsh economic situation in the country and the delay in the implementation of the minimum wage by the state government is adding to our plight”, he said.

Meanwhile, the C\ommissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, has said the committee constituted by the governor to look into the implementation of the minimum wage would soon complete its assignment for necessary approval.