Labour unions in Osun State have declared a total strike to press home their demand for payment of their six-month salaries.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Jacob Adekomi, who read the address of the labour unions at a press conference in Osogbo, said the strike would begin on Tuesday, May 26, after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the state government.
“That an indefinite strike action be commenced by all the workers in the State of Osun as from Tuesday, May 26, 2015 due to the failure of the government to accede to our legitimate demands, as contained in our letter to the government dated May 12, 2015.
“The indefinite strike action will be total and by this billeting, workers are advised to stay at home while pressing home our demands. That no worker should resume work until announcement is made by the labour bodies to that effect.”
The labour union alleged that apart from the salary issue, the state government had refused to remit the contributory pension deductions from their salaries to their respective retirement saving accounts.
However, the state government has appealed for understanding from the workers’ union, stressing that at the heart of all the issues being raised is insufficient funds.
In a statement by Semiu Okanlawon, of the bureau of public communication, the government stressed that, “regardless of the terrible revenue crisis that has led us to this state as a country, we must bear in mind the very prudent manner the Aregbesola’s government has managed the affairs of Osun.
“Therefore, workers can be certain that once the revenue complications are solved, all these issues will vanish. And as a responsible government, we would still appeal to workers to show understanding baring in mind that at times when even other states had started experiencing delays, Osun ensured it used all it had to ensure workers did not feel the pang of a national revenue crisis.”
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