REFUSAL BY MANAGEMENT OF RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC, OWO TO PAY THE NEW NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE TO MEMBERS OF STAFF, ( SSANIP- RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC, OWO INCLUSIVE) – .A CALL FOR A PEACEFUL PROTEST
Solidarity greetings to the esteemed members of our great Union, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, (SSANIP) Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, chapter for their doggedness, tenacity and endurance as occasioned by the poor pay and deliberate neglect by Ondo State Government.
It is no longer news that Staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has been turned to a second class fiddle in Ondo – State by successive governments in the State.
The workforce of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has not only being neglected by the State Government but also denied several welfare packages approved and enjoyed by their counter parts in other sister Institutions.
It is on record and within the Knowledge of the State Government that it is only her institution that is still on #18,000 minimum wage.
This was a minimum wage that has been replaced by another one since April 18, 2019.
When the new National minimum wage was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024, Ondo State Govenrment started its own payment in October, 2024 with the exclusion of staff of the Polytechnic.
Several attempts have been made by Unions on campus on the payment of the new Minimum wage all to no avail. Ondo State Government has been foot dragging on the payment of the approved minimum wage to the staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo while other categories of workers in the state have been receiving the new wage 15 months ago. Why the Ondo State Government has continued in this manner remain unknown to the institution.
In the face of the harsh economic reality of today, the #18,000 mnimum wage paid to the staff of the Polytechnic is grossly inadequate and is putting an unbearable financial constraints on our members.
SSANIP members have been turned to beggars. They can barely feed their families and have become a laughing stock among the people in the community, most especially Landlords and landladies who now consider them as social misfits and financially unstable.
Our members are important members of their various communities and the fact that they worked in a Polytechnic should not be the basis for the total neglect of their welfare by the State Government.
SSANIP rejects outright Ondo State Government endless empty promises and unconcerned attitude towards the welfare and plight of our members.
Those empty promises that decimate the living standards of our members .
The National minimum wage is a law that must be respected. Our demand for the payment of the minimum wage to our members since 2024 is never a privilege but a legitimate right. We can no longer watch our members being denied of their legitimate entitlement while other workers enjoy same in the same State.
Ondo State belongs to all of us!
In view of the above, all members of SSANIP are hereby DIRECTED to converge at the Polytechnic’s main gate on Monday, 16th February, 2026 for a peaceful protest untill our demand is met by Management/State Government.
This directive includes our members who are on essential duties such as Security and Health Workers. Also, members in the offices of Principal Officers of the Polytechnic are enjoined to strictly adhere to this directive.
SSANIP Excos would be on ground to co-ordinate this peaceful protest .
For the people united can never be defeated.
Aluta continua !!!!
Victoria acerta !!!!
In Soweto !!!!!
In Africa !!!!
E-signed
SSANIP Executive Committee
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo Chapter.
