The workers of Ogun State have lamented that governor, Dapo Abiodun has failed them, making only empty, unfulfilled promises, since he became the governor of the state.
The chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Folorunsho Olanrewaju while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta lamented that despite meeting with the state government on different occasions, their demands have not been met.
Olanrewaju complained that the governor did not fulfill his promise that he will pay all outstanding debts of his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
The JNC chairman noted the present administration since emmergence has not paid gross salaries to workers in the state.
He lamented, “even before Prince Dapo Abiodun came in, he has specifically promised that all debt he is meeting will be paid, but we are surprised at this hours that about eight months of the global deduction are being outstanding which has not been paid.
“What we are even demanding is that gross payment, not net payment and government is used to this type of payment. We are not animals, we are demanding for our rights and it is our rights.
“It is very unfair on the part of this government because he came, he addressed the Labour, we believed in what he told us and we agreed in principle; that was why most of us supported his election. Despite that, we are still where we are today, it is very unexpected.”
Speaking on payment of minimum wage, the JNC chairman said the state government failed to pay the workers despite promising to begin the payment in August.
He added,” it is sadden enough that up till this hour, the state government has not deem it fit to say a single word or when to start the payment of minimum wage; it is only empty empty promises.
“The meeting we had about two months ago with the government, it was equally mentioned and we told the Head of Service that we want payment to start in August, but right away those that receive their salaries received the whole rate without any mention or information from the government to the Labour on the minimum wage.
Meanwhile, the worker threatened to embark on industrial action if the state governor fails to reverse the new Pension Reform Law 2020.
Olanrewaju insisted that the new law was allegedly hurriedly passed by the state House of Assembly without their consent.
He noted that the decision of the state government to enact such law without the consideration of the Labour leaders is immoral and unconstitutional.
He described the new Pension Reform law as an attempt to allegedly maltreat the senior citizens in the state.
The JNC chairman however said failure to reverse the law within seven days will lead to industrial action by the workers in the state.
He further said, “it is equally a bad motion because if the issue is not address now, when are they going to address it. That is why we are saying if in the next seven days, there was not a reversal of this evil law, we will be forced to call for industrial actions. If all of these demands are not meant, there would be industrial unrest in the state.”
Source:PLATFORM TIMES
