Labour finally calls off strike in Oyo, workers to receive January salary

The Oyo state labour union has called off its seven-week strike following the decision of the Oyo state government to pay the January and February 2016 salary and pension arrears of workers and pensions in the state civil service.

This was contained in an agreement between the Oyo state government and the state labour leaders.

The state government will immediately pay the January salaries and pensions from the  N3.49bn in the state treasury, while the Feburary salaries and pension will be paid in two weeks when the state receives its monthly allocation from the Federal Account.

The agreement reached by the state government and the labour leader was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Alli; Head of Service, Soji Eniade; Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi.

While the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Waheed Olojede; State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo; State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, were present to sign the agreement.

The agreement reads: “That the total amount received from the Federation Account in the month of June was N2.1bn; and additional N1.39bn, being the first tranche of the budget support facility received from the Federal Government.

“This brings the total available sum to N3.49bn in the government coffers that could immediately be utilized for payment of salaries, wages and pensions of the state workforce for the month of January.

“That salaries and pensions for two months be paid within two weeks (of the agreement) on the receipt by the state of her share of Federal allocation accordingly. That there would be the need for sacrifice from both sides resulting in adjustments of the state’s obligations and entitlements to various stakeholders in order to realize this payment.

“That the same principle will be applicable to the payment of salary and pensions for February based on expectations that the next allocation from the Federation Account and budget support facility would be of the same value.”

Both parties also agreed that the principals, teachers and pupils of secondary schools engaged in the breach of peace and destruction of government properties will also write a formal letter of apology.

The state government agreed to withdraw all suits against labour while also promising not to victimise any worker for participating in the industrial action.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, the SSG said that workers in the state should learn that dialogue was the best way to resolve disagreements.

He said: “Labour has given its firm assurance to work with government to further expand the revenue net of the state.

“From the various lessons learnt in the process of this industrial action, it is believed that with the transparency and openness of government and the understanding of labour, a recurrence of the situation would be avoided.”

He further called on the state workers to immediately resume work.

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