Ogun workers begin strike Thursday

Ogun State workers are set to begin an indefinite strike on Thursday over government’s alleged refusal to pay them their “allowances and deductions.”

The workers union had on September 29 given the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet their demands, including “Immediate payment of outstanding 12 months unions’ check-off dues, outright stoppage of the contributory pension deductions and immediate payment of 12 months of global deductions.”

The ultimatum expires this Thursday.
Leaders of organised labour made up of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made their decision known yesterday at a press conference in Abeokuta, the state capital yesterday.

Olakanmi Abiodun explained that the leadership of the unions suspended the strike in March due to the intervention of paramount rulers, the state House of Assembly and well-meaning citizens of the state. Up to date, government has failed to fulfil its pledge to meet their demands.

He added: “We viewed the inaction of the Ogun State Government as deliberate and designed to make workers poorer. The workers can no longer tolerate the bluff of the state government.”

The state chairman of the NLC, Akeem Ambali said the workers had suffered enough, stressing, “It is a total strike. If they call us we will not answer.”

Reacting to the notice, the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa said the workers were yet to communicate to the government “either the ultimatum or the strike notice.”He promised that government would react appropriately when the workers serve the government with the notice.