The Nigeria Labour Congress in Ekiti State has threatened to embark
on strike if Governor Ayo Fayose fails to pay them two months’ salaries
and pensions from when he receives July allocation.
The position of the workers was stated on Thursday by the Chairman of the NLC in the state, Ade Adesanmi.
Adesanmi, who accused the state government of withholding information on Internally Generated Revenue, said:
“When the inability to pay salaries began, the present government came
with an option of downsizing the workforce or allowing two months’
allocations to be added to pay one month’s salaries.
“In the interest of our people, we took the second option.
“As labour leaders, we are supposed to be apolitical and that position we maintain till now.
“Now, the election has come and gone but the pitiable situation
of our members occasioned by the non-payment of salaries and pension of
senior citizens still persist and it is worrisome.
“Letters have been written to the outgoing government to set
the machinery in motion for the payment of backlog of arrears of
salaries and pensions to fulfil its promise not to leave Ekiti as a
debtor.
“This time, we want to hold Governor Fayose to his words.
“Workers are dying, pensioners are dying and the governor, as a
father to all, should ensure that our pains are relieved as soon as
possible.
“We have suggested that from the July allocation, the
government should mop up all funds and start paying two months’
salaries, the failure which labour may not be able to guarantee
industrial peace and harmony in Ekiti.”