Ekiti NLC plan showdown with Fayose

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State on Thursday called on the out going governor of the state, Peter Ayo Fayose not to leave office as a debtor.

The labour union made the call while threatening to embark on strike if two months salaries and pension being owed are not paid by the governor.

According to the NLC, Fayose had vowed that he would not leave Ekiti a debtor, hence their resolve to hold him by his words.

The union made the threat at a press briefing addressed by its chairman, Ade Adesanmi in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, where it also condemned the Ekiti Workers Rescue Team led by a former NLC chairman in the state, Ayo Aluko for issuing a strike threat.

Read also: Soyinka defends Gov Ortom

The NLC said the team does not enjoy the backing of the executives of the union in the state and at the national levels.

Adesanmi also exonerated labour leaders in the state over the backlog of salaries, adding that workers would have been sacked if not for their efforts.

Adesanmi said: “When the inability to pay salaries began, the present government came with an option of downsizing the workforce or allowing two months’ allocations to be added to pay one month’s salaries. In the interest of our people, we took the second option.

“As labour leaders, we are supposed to be apolitical and that position we maintain till now. Now, the election has come and gone but the pitiable situation of our members occasioned by the non-payment of salaries and pension of senior citizens still persist and it is worrisome.

“Letters have been written to the outgoing government to set the machinery in motion for the payment of backlog of arrears of salaries and pensions to fulfil its promise not to leave Ekiti as a debtor. This time, we want to hold Governor Fayose to his words.

“Workers are dying, pensioners are dying and the governor, as a father to all, should ensure that our pains are relieved as soon as possible. We have suggested that from the July allocation, the government should mop up all funds and start paying two months’ salaries, the failure which labour may not be able to guarantee industrial peace and harmony in Ekiti.”

By Timothy Enietan-Matthew….

 

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