Ekiti State Workers Begin Indefinite Strike till Salaries are Paid
Workers in Ekiti state began indefinite strike on Thursday challenging the lack of payment of salaries and allowances for the past two months by the outgoing Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
While stating their plan to journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Joint Negotiating Council JNC, led by its Chairman, Comrade Oladipupo Johnson, revealed that the worker’s August and September salaries had not been paid and that 60% deductions from their June and July salaries had also not been paid by the government.
Johnson said, “It is unfortunate to note that in spite of the pronouncement and promises from top government functionaries, there seem to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Sequel to the following, the workers of the public service had met and directed that no worker should come to work today, October 2, 2014 and this subsists until all conditions are met.
“And any worker who refuses to obey this simple directive does so at his or her own risk since the leaders would not take responsibility for anything that happens.”
Johnson also said that the council’s leadership had been in talks with the Governor for the past three months and weas surprised that the workers have not paid even after government received two monthly allocations.
“We don’t want to stay back and allow our people to be dying on the streets because we are gradually becoming beggars. The Government has not paid salaries in the last two months, that is why we ask them to be at home and look for alternative way of existence .
“They are owing full salaries for August and September and 60 percent deductions in the June and July Salaries. And going by evidence we had, the Governor had collected two allocations without remembering that these salaries should be paid.
“We have met with the Head of Service, the Accountant General and other relevant people and what they agreed was that the salaries will be paid by October 1, 2014.
“But I want to assure you that the workers will resume to work as soon as the two months salaries are paid as well as the June and July deductions.”
The council also criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the State for not protecting the interest of workers.
