Workers in polytechnics and colleges of education across Oyo State have threatened to embark on strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage despite approval by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The workers said if the new minimum wage table is not paid by Wednesday, February 5, 2025, workers across polytechnics and colleges of education will withdraw their services indefinitely, starting Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC), Oyo State, Dr. Kola Lawal, in a statement, noted that the industrial action will be total and comprehensive until the issue is fully resolved.

He said they hope that those responsible for implementing the Governor’s directive will act swiftly to prevent disruptions in academic activities and ensure that workers receive their rightful wages.

He stated that workers remain committed to their duties, but will not continue to watch in silence as their rights and entitlements are ignored.

He called on relevant authorities, stakeholders, and well-meaning individuals to intervene and ensure that the issue is resolved immediately in the interest of industrial harmony, the welfare of workers, and the progress of education in Oyo State.

“However, despite these provisions, the management of our institutions have failed to implement the payment of the new minimum wage as expected,” he said.

”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 the month of 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.”

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu Adelabu, said the workers will engaged on the issue.