Gov Dapo Abiodun
Following an agreement reached between the organised labour and the Ogun State government on the payment of the new minimum wage and the agreement on other demands, the seven day industrial action embarked upon by workers in the State, has been called off.
The representatives of the labour, led by the State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Bankole and supported by his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, called off the strike after a meeting with the State goverment team led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi.
Reading a communique after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the two parties, Comrade Bankole noted that goverment had agreed to the implementation of the signed new minimum wage effective from October, 2020.
Government, Comrade Bankole continued, agreed to earmark the sum of N500m to clear the gratuity on quarterly basis, payment would commence latest January, 2020, while process for outstanding promotion for 2018, 2019 and 2020, would commence immediately.
According to the labour leaders, both parties agreed to suspend the proposed 2020 Pension Amendment Bill, with a plan to constitute a committee comprising representatives of government and labour to tackle grey areas.
He appreciated government commitment to sustain payment of gross salary henceforth, disclosing that both parties agreed that other demands would be subject of joint review effective on March, 2021.
While expressing the hope that no reprisal would be meted on those who took part in the strike, Mr. Bankole called on workers to reciprocate government gesture with continued dedication, loyalty and efficiency in the discharge of their duty.
Speaking earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, noted the tension the impasse has brought to the State in the last few days, saying that both sides have their constraints and most look out for the interest of their constituencies.
“We all recognize the legitimacy of the demands, but I am very happy to say that we have our differences. The whole idea is not to resolve all the differences at once, but we have gotten to a point where we feel that the differences have been resolved so that our lives can go on”, he explained.
In her remark, the Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun, appreciated the labour for their understanding and coming to the round table for amicable resolutions, adding that as stakeholders, both workers and government are working towards achieving the same goal.
