Contrary to speculations and opinions in some quarters that the planned industrial action by the Organized Labour in Ogun State will be averted by the government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, the Ogun State workers have unanimously declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike today, Monday, June 27, 2022.
ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported that the strike action by the Organized Labour is premised on six alleged infractions on the welfare of Ogun workers.
According to the release signed by Comrades Emmanuel Bankole, Isa Olude and Akeem Lasisi, State Chairman NLC, State Chairman JNC and State Chairman, TUC respectively, the demands of the workers are
- Immediate remittance of 21 months of deductions.
- Immediate payment of eight (8) years of unpaid Statutory Leave Allowances ( The current Administration owes nearly four (4) years of it).
- The deliberate breach of provision of law, (Ogun State Pension Law (2006) , as amended in 2013) in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
- Restoration of payment of Gross Payment of Salary effective with June 2022.
- 2021 and 2022 Promotion Exercise must be accorded the priority it deserves.
- Immediate implementation of Consequential Adjustment on Minimum Pension as mandated by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the workers had earlier in a letter dated Tuesday, 7th June, 2022 expressed displeasure with the approach of Government in handling issues relating to the welfare of workers.
Read Avert Imminent Labour Unrest – Ogun NLC tells Governor Abiodun
In what was tagged as total and comprehensive strike, the State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole while addressing hundreds of workers that gathered at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Abeokuta today declared that all public hospitals, schools, ministries and agencies of Government would be affected by the strike.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the attendance at the Declaration of Strike by the workers is uncommon in the history of labour movement in Ogun State.
Bankole berated the state government for failing to honour the agreement it willfully entered into as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the workers in 2020.
The NLC chairman flanked by his counterpart in TUC, Comrade Akeem Lasisi and the State Chairman of Joint National Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Isa Olude reiterated that the Organized Labour in the State did everything humanly possible to avert the strike but that the industrial action became imperative in view of the failure of the government to meet with the labour leaders despite various letters written on the issues. According to Bankole, this attitude of Government is taking the show of total disregard and neglect to the plight of workers to another level.
He explained that the strike which commences from 12 midnight on Tuesday would be comprehensive and total, and would not be called off until their demands are met.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the labour leaders emphasized that the workers have taken their destinies in their own hands.
“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 not slaves. The time is now, a stop must be put to this.
In what appears to be an outburst of total disappointment and frustration on the approach of the Government despite numerous opportunities and good intentions of Organized Labour in the State, Bankole declares
“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 a person to go home.
Highlights of the declaration of the comprehensive, indefinite and total strike by the workers were emotion-laden songs to remind the Government of its promises to the workers and convey the disappointment of the workers on the approach of Government to the plight of workers.
Leading various heart-breaking songs, Mrs Roseline Solarin, Chairperson, NANNM Ogun State, lamented that the government had greatly disappointed workers in the state.
After a positive on-spot assessment of the readiness of the workers for a total , comprehensive and indefinite strike, Bankole further declares :
“There is no going back. We have given them so long 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.
“In line with the yearnings of the workers and to further press home our demands, we are embarking on indefinite strike from Monday, June 27 mid night.
He therefore directed all workers to stay back at home till further notice.
According to the Labour Leader, “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.
While emphasizing the importance of the strike, Bankole stated that
“Anyone who reports for duty tomorrow (Tuesday) is a traitor and it has never been well with a traitor,”
ValidViewNetwork reports that the leadership of the workers later had a brief informal meeting with Government but there was no concrete agreement.
As the strike begins, ValidViewNetwork hopes that urgent steps towards amicable resolution of the contentious issues will be put in place in view of the potential impact of the strike on the socioeconomic wellbeing of the state and the citizens.
(c) ValidViewNetwork
