Abeokuta: By 'Sina ODUNTAN
Published, Monday, June 27, 2022
PUBLIC WORKERS IN OGUN STATE would commence indefinite strike from today's midnight to compel the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for unpaid several months deductions.
The leadership of organised Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and Joint Negotiating Committee, JNC in Ogun State called out their members in the Ministries, Agencies, (Parastltals) and Departments, MAD's including public primary and secondary schools on Monday, at Arcade ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, to proceed on indefinite industrial action to direct the government's attention to the "pathetic plight" of workers in the State as a result of government refusal pay their 21 months salary deductions.
The union had last week given Governor Dapo Abiodun seven days to address their demands or face an industrial action.
The strike followed the expiration of the ultimatum issued by the workers to Abiodun over his government's inability to pay 21 months deductions, non-payment of eight years statutory leave allowances and breach of the State Pension Reform Law, 2006 (amended 2013) in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme amongst other demands.
The workers berated Governor Abiodun for failing to honour the agreement contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the labour leaders and his administration in 2020.
The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole, said the strike became imperative following serveral failed attempts to meet the governor over their plights, saying the government had failed to respond to over seven letters written to it on the issues.
Bankole who was flanked by the Chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, and the Chairman of JNC, Isa Olude directed all the workers in the employ of the state government to stay away from work as from tomorrow, Tuesday.
Comrade Bakole said the strike takes effect from 12a.m Tuesday (today) and it should be total and indefinite, declaring that there's no going back until their demands are met by the governor.
He said: "We are here today to take our destiny in our own hands. The leadership is ready. We must start a new beginning. We must tell them (government) that we are workers and we are not slaves. The time is now, a stop must be put to this.
"Our future and the future of the workers of Ogun state is in great jeopardy. Governance is a serious business and whoever that is not ready for it, I think it is time we tell such person go home.
"Having given them enough time but they are so busy to attend to us, maybe if we go home for some time, they will have time to attend to our matter.
"There is no going back. We have given them so long a rope to draw.
"It is my opinion and my conviction that Ogun State workers are saying that we should embark on a full blown strike.
"We are embarking on indefinite strike from 12 mid night, let all the workers stay back at home. The implication is that nobody is expected at work tomorrow.
"Anyone who reports for duty tomorrow (Tuesday) is a traitor and it has never been well with a traitor," Bankole opined.
No comments:
Post a Comment