Workers’ welfare my priority, says Oyo NLC chairman 

The Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kayode Martins, has restated his commitment to see to the welfare of workers in the state, especially in the area of prompt payment of salaries and other benefits by the government.

Martins made the submission in Ibadan while speaking on his renewed commitment and readiness to ensure civil servants under his watch in the state are adequately represented.

It will be recalled that Martins was re-elected at the quadrennial delegates’ congress of Oyo State Council of the NLC, held at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Hall, Ibadan.

According to him, the union has maintained a steady balance under his watch since he first came on board to complete the administration of his predecessor, Bayo Sodo and consequently emerge at the election to commence his administration.

“One thing any governor in the state owes me is the welfare of workers in the state. Any governor, who takes good care of civil servants in Oyo State has taken care of me, and by that, we won’t have issues.”

According to him, the experience has brought peace to the civil service sector, especially since the governor has made workers’ welfare a priority by promptly paying their salaries and monthly dues.

Reacting to insinuations that the council under his watch has been compromised, Martins said they are used to such criticism.

He recalled about two years ago when the government decided not to pay check off dues and deductions of cooperatives and other loans, they took up the matter and government yielded to their demands.

“There are also allegations raised against the council that the NLC is being used by the opposition party in the state, but we are unperturbed because we are used to such criticism and I do not doubt that such criticism came from our adversaries.”

Martins while urging leaders to put the interest of their subjects at heart, said the NLC has no intimacy with the government other than the smooth working relationship, which has brought progress to the civil service sector.