Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says the salaries of senior political appointees in his cabinet has been cut by half.
The governor disclosed this on Friday while addressing top labour leaders in the state at a low-key event to commemorate the 2020 International Workers’ Day.
Top government officials and labour leaders in the state gathered at Labour House, American Quarters, Ibadan for the event.
Mr Makinde said the state lawmakers also agreed to cut their salaries by 30 percent all in a bid to create funds for fighting the coronavirus.
However, the governor assured workers in the state of his commitment to the payment of salaries on the 25th of every month.
“When I was taking over the affairs of government on May 29, 2019, I never envisaged that our first Worker’s Day celebration would happen without the usual pomp,” said Makinde.
“…The next couple of months are going to be difficult ones, but we are working hard to mitigate the shocks to our economy. Already, we have secured the cooperation of the legislature to take a 30 per cent cut to their monthly allocations, while senior government appointees take 50 per cent pay cuts. This is because we feel that the economic safety of the workforce must be prioritised.
“We must on this day, appreciate the efforts of those who have taken pay cuts so that others may be catered for. I am happy that under this administration, the wellbeing of the common man takes precedence. I give you my word; we will continue to put in the work needed to ensure that you are never paid with ‘bear with us at the end of any month.
“We salute the workers who have had to sacrifice their earnings at this time, those whose businesses have been affected by the partial lockdown in Oyo State. Private schools cannot operate at this time. Event planners are also badly hit; you can’t run your operations when there are no gatherings.”
In their separate remarks at the event, the trio of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP)warned employers against using the covid-19 pandemic as excuse for the stoppage and reduction of workers’ salaries.
