The organized labour unions in Ekiti State have described the insinuation by the embattled state governor, Ayodele Fayose that they have been part of the sharing of the federal monthly allocation coming to the state, as a big lie.
They expressed shock over the internally generated revenue figures reeled out by the governor, which overshot and were entirely contrary to that which was ever declared by the Accountant General at any of their meetings.
In a press release issued after an emergency meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council in Ado Ekiti, the labour unions denied reaching an agreement with government to pay only net salary.
According to the unions, the Accountant General’s figures ranged between only N150 million and N200 million, except that of N268 million for April, the highest so far declared by him.
These, they said, were against N267 million for September 2015; N252 million for October 2015; N195 million for November 2015; N181million for December 2015, as well as N389 million, N381 million, and N302 million, respectively declared by the governor for January, February and March.
Accusing the governor of blackmailing the unions to gain public sympathy, the labour leaders said the meeting is only “a briefing” and not “a cash allocation meeting.”
They added that suggestions made by them at the meetings have never been accepted by the governor.
“So, the idea of labour leaders sharing monthly cash allocation and the governor approving does not arise. There has never been any advice or suggestion given to government by the organized labour at this forum that has ever been taken,” the unions said.
The organized labour on Thursday began an indefinite strike to press home the demand for the outstanding five months salaries of workers among other issues.
But reacting, the governor on Friday said the state government will pay salaries only to workers not on strike from the little monthly allocation that came from Abuja.
However, the labour unions asked workers to discountenance the threat by the Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, that senior workers should resume work on Tuesday or face the dire consequences of their actions.
“The ongoing strike is not an ego trip or politically motivated, but about the rights of workers and pensioners who are dying daily out of hunger and frustration.
“It should be noted that Labour has neither suspended nor called off the ongoing industrial action in the state, hence we are using this medium to implore the entire workers of all categories in all sectors to stay at home and observe the strike action until the leadership of organized Labour gives further directives.” [myad]
