Workers’ Day: Your welfare is my priority — Adeleke assures Osun Workers

…Seeks labour support

By Jeleel Olawale

The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Monday assured Osun State workers that his administration has made their welfare first priority.

He said the state workers deserve to be treated better because they are the engine of any given government, saying that welfare of worker is the first cardinal of his administration.

The Governor made the assurance at first May Day celebration of his administration in Osogbo, the state capital.

In his address, the Governor said, “I am today your Comrade Governor who is committed to workers’ welfare and is demonstrating all signals of workers friendly government.

“Workers in Osun state passed through tough moments of agonising hardship before my assumption of office. The depth of neglect was inhuman; the maltreatment was openly anti-labour; and the painful outcome was several dead and life plans disrupted.

“Dear Comrades, what I found on ground by November 2022 strengthened my conviction about my five point agenda. My decision to put workers’ welfare first when elected Governor was proven right. In the history of Osun state, I am unarguably the first Governor to have labour as the first item on his governance agenda.”

He added, “Since I took over under a very hostile environment, I have remained committed to that goal of workers’ first. You can all attest to my faithfulness in resolving inherited challenges on workers’ salaries and pension.

“I have demonstrated good faith as a leader with genuine love of workers at heart. You will always find in me a Governor that is responsive and open to the well being of labour.

“Addressing matters such as half salaries and contributory pension issues are state obligations which must be resolved. Hence, our administration worked out a template for resolution. Implementation is ongoing. We remain resolute in our passion to complete the payment process.

“I am happy that our administration has cash backed the promotion of officers effected by the last administration. Other welfare issues are also on the table for further action at the appropriate time.”

The Governor said his administration has noted all requests and demands workers in their various addresses.

“This administration is yours. I assure you that all your points are well noted.

“Our administration is focusing on worker’s welfare because that is the right thing to do. There is a strong link between the formal and informal workforce in Osun state.

“When the formal workforce, the public servants are cared for, the informal sector fairs better. A very happy public service translates into a booming local economy across the state.

“To address poverty and under-development, the first place to start is positive treatment of public workers. Their salaries and allowances fuel prosperity within the local economy.

“I am therefore proud of my love for workers, both formal and informal. My administration has gotten the magic wand , hence our loyalty to labour and the people,” Adeleke said.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, comrade Adekola Adebowale said the Governor made workers’ welfare number one of his five cardinal points during his electioneering campaigns, saying the governor had kept his promises.

He stressed that the Governor has paid part of the humogous backlog of salary arrears and pension arrears owed by his predecessors. The promotion given by the past administration without financial effects has been cashbacked.

He urged the state governor to look into pensioners’ welfare, contract staff, extension of length of service which is against civil service rule and appointment of permanent secretaries among other issues that are workers in the state.