By Banji Ayoola
A former spokesman of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, RUGIPO, Mr Samuel O. Ojo (JP), has described the suspension of the prolonged strike by the institution’s workers as a positive development.
Specifically, he said the strike’s suspension would bring relief to the students, whose academics had been stunted since the strike action, which has lasted over three months.
He commended the institution’s new Acting Rector, Dr. Olorunwa Lawson for starting his tenure well “by demonstrating a goodwill during the workers’ day by appreciating the value of Rugipo workforce to the institution.”
According to Ojo, “His position shows that his administration will be workers’ friendly and to a good extent, handle issues that borders on workers’ welfare with concerns.”
Besides, he believed strongly that the new development would pave way for meaningful deliberations between the institution’s workers’ representatives, and the committee set up by the Ondo State Government to resolve the new national minimum wage implementation issue, among other complaints that led to the strike
Ojo said, “I hope that with this suspension of strike, the authorities concerned should be pragmatic enough to address the demand of the union.
“The N70,000 minimum wage should not be dragged for too long.
“We are all living witnesses to the prevailing sky rocketing prices of items in the market, school fees either in public or private schools, and increase in cost of living generally.
“For good welfare and excellent output on productivity, the living wage should be encouraging and motivating.
“The decision to suspend the strike will bring a relief to the students whose academics had been stunted since the strike action.
“The new helmsman in Rugipo Dr. Lawson O. has started well by demonstrating a goodwill during the workers’ day by appreciating the value of Rugipo workforce to the institution.
His position shows that his administration will be workers’ friendly and to a good extent handle issues that borders on workers’ welfare with concerns.”
