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Ogun workers begin indefinite strike over alleged deductions, government’s insensitivity

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State

*The Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress declares the workers’ indefinite strike will allow the state government to have a ‘rethink and call for a dialogue over the industrial dispute

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Civil Servants in the employ of the Ogun State Government (OGSG) of Nigeria Monday, June 27, 2022, noted they have declared an indefinite strike over the failure of the government to pay their 21 months’ salary deductions and other demands from the authorities.

ConsumerConnect learnt the Labour disclosed the industrial action, which become effective Tuesday,  would affect ministries, hospitals and public schools.

Sources said the workers’ said that the reached the decision to declare general strike sequel the alleged insensitivity of the government to their pathetic plight over time.

The leadership of the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), declared the strike while addressing workers at the arcade ground at the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The workers’ Union, under the aegis of Organised Labour recently issued Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State a week’s ultimatum to address their demands or face industrial action.

They accused Governor Abiodun of non-remittance of 21-month salary deductions, eight years of unpaid Statutory Leave Allowances and breach of the State Pension Reform Law, 2006 (amended 2013) in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, reported stated.

Their grievances were contained in a letter dated June 21 and addressed to Governor Abiodun.

The letter, jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Emmanuel Bankole; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi and the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Isa Olude.

However, sequel the expiration of the ultimatum, the Labour leaders addressed workers at the Arcade ground at the state secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where they declared an indefinite strike.

Emmanuel Bankole, Chairman of NLC in the state, said the government had failed to yield to the Labour’s several calls for negotiation.

Bankole said the indefinite strike would allow the government to have a rethink and call for a dialogue over the industrial dispute.

He also noted: “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 feature and the feature of the workers of Ogun state is in great jeopardy.”

Bankole further stated: “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 of we go home for some time, they will have time to attend to our matter.”

The NLC Chairman as well stated: “There is no going back. We have given them so long rope to draw.

“It is my opinion and my conviction that Ogun State tate workers are saying that we should embark on a full-blown strike.

“We are embarking on indefinite strike from 12mid night, let all the workers stay back at home.”

Bankole said: “The implication is that nobody is expected to work tomorrow.

“Anyone who reports for duty tomorrow (Tuesday, June 28) is a traitor and it has never been well with a traitor.”

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