Oyo workers suspend strike over salary arrears

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State has suspended its seven-week strike embarked upon to protest non-payment of their six months salary arrears.

The strike was suspended after several hours of meeting between the union and the state government, which ended at about 11.00 p.m. on Monday.

Confirming the suspension of the strike, Oyo NLC Vice Chairman, Mr. Titilola Sodo, said the payment of the two months salary would commence from today. (Wednesday)

He listed some of the conditions under which the strike was called off as government’s acceptance to pay two months out of the outstanding salaries, asking banks to give workers three months moratorium on loans to enable them take care of their basic needs, withdrawal of all court cases against Labour in the state as well as immediate issuance of promotion letters to concerned workers.

Also, a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, said: “The two parties after an exhaustive deliberation agreed that the state monthly average salary and related bill is N5.2 billion and that the accumulation of unpaid salaries arose from the state’s dwindling allocation from the Federation Account and the adoption of staggered payment option.”