Fayose, pay Ekiti workers their wages - NLC president

-The NLC president has issued a statement slamming Governor Ayo Fayose

– Ayuba Wabba is calling on Fayose to pay his union members their wages despite being on strike

– Fayose has come under heavy criticism recently for his handling of the NLC strike

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba has appealed to the Governor of Ekiti state Ayo Fayose to pay striking workers their dues.

Mr Wabba, in an open letter sent to the Premium times, highlighted the four major reasons for which the workers in the South

-West state have been on strike.They include non-payment of five months salaries and pensions, the non-implementation of promotion forworkers, controversy surrounding workers’ verification, and the refusal of the state government to disclose its internal revenue.Governor Ayodele Fayose has attracted criticism for his handling of the strike

The labour leader said the NLC was not unconcerned about the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the polity.“In our view, however, this does not constitute an acceptable rationale forowing workers and pensioners for so long,”he said.Despite the threat of mass sack, the Ekiti workers have continued with their strike.

It is not clear how far Mr Wabba’s intervention will help to resolve the crisis.Read the labour leader’s letter to Mr. Fayose below.

READ ALSO:  Governor Fayose embarks on indefinite strike

I convey to you the compliments of the Nigeria Labour Congress as well request your personal intervention in the strike action by workers in Ekiti State.

The issues that led to this strike action are well known to you and include the following:

· Non-payment of five months’ salary arrears and pensions;

· Non-implementation of promotion report since 2014;

· Issues around staff verification exercise in 2015;

· Refusal of government disclose the actual monthly IGR.NLC President, Comrade Ayuba WabbaYour Excellency, we are not unconcerned about the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the polity.

In our view, however, this doesnot constitute an acceptable rationale for owing workers and pensioners for so long.

A Labourer, the Holy Books, tell us, deserves his wages. Stripped of his wages, he is reduced to a slave without rights or privileges.

In the instant case, the workers and pensioners in the State have been pulverised into submission due to the default in the payment of their salaries and pensions to the extent that they are unable to perform their obligations to God, Man and the State.

We believe this painful situation could be minimised, if not entirely reduced, if government gives consideration to managing the cost of governance, raising the IGR profile and appropriately applying the bail-out funds given by the Federal Government.

READ ALSO:  Labour leaders arraigned over protest in Ibadan

Your Excellency, we urge you to bringthis strike action speedily to an end by commencing the process of payment and establishing a platform for dialogue at which the leadership of the workers at the state level couldbe availed of what accrues to the coffers of the state monthly.

We are prepared to sit with you and our members to broker the necessarypeace in the interest of industrial harmony and general well-being of the state.While we await your intervention, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.

READ ALSO:  Buhari, Fayose, Wike, travel bans and other expensive jokes