By Richard Thomas
Civil servants in Oyo State have been directed to converge at the entrance of the main gate leading to office of the state governor on Monday by 7:30 am in order to have him address them face to face on their long time demands.
The directive was given by the chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins after addressing workers on issues bordering on their salaries and others on Thursday at the NLC office, Ibadan.
According to him, the directive became imperative owing to the situation of things on their demand from the state government over some time.
It will be recalled that the union last week Thursday gave the state government ultimatum till last Monday to attend to their demand, hence, they cannot guarantee the industrial harmony in the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday July 27, 2023, at the NLC headquarters, Ibadan, Comrade Martins said they are not relenting on their oars at ensuring that the state government yield and attend to all their demands.
“We have written so many letters to the state government without any response, we don’t actually know what is going on. Just last week Thursday, we gave the government an ultimatum to address our demands till last Monday, yet nothing happened. So, we have resolved again to go in our numbers to converge at the main gate of the governor’s office so that he can come out to address us.
Comrade Martins said they are demanding state government to release the outstanding salary deductions and other entitlements of workers in the state from January 2023 till date, adding that they can no longer bear the pain.
According to him, the union is also admonished the state government to roll out parliative measures in good time to cushion the effects of subsidy removal as being done in other states, saying the cost of living has gone up and has really made life difficult for the entire masses.
He said they have series of demands most especially on issues pertaining to welfare of workers and the entire masses in the state.”We are demanding the state government to release the outstanding salary deductions of workers and other entitlements from January till date to enable them cope with the present economic situation.
“We still have some of our salaries being witheld from January till date, which is staff deductions. Secondly, we demand that government should release outstanding leave bonuses and letters promotion of workers over the years. Take for instance, since his pronouncement in 2021 on the issue, no worker has received any letter.
“So, we are asking and demanding that year 2022 and 2023 promotion be addressed with immediate effect. We are asking that the government should commence the payment for gratuities to retirees, because things have changed economically.
“We are asking the state government to respond to the deductions in workers salaries, outstanding promotions, since 2021, we are yet to receive any letter. The issue of gratuities and pension areas has to be reviewed. Pension was last reviewed in 2007 and we are still on the old salary despite the high rate of inflation and the harsh economy.
Comrade Martins said it is high time governor Seyi Makinde address them (Civil servants) on the situation of things on their demands, adding that they have long pacified the people.
We want the governor to talk to us one on one on Monday in order to know the situation of things. We have written series of letters without achieving any progress, so. this time we want to have one on one talk with him. In the last four years, no meeting has come between us and the governor.
The NLC chairman said the outcome of Monday’s gathering will determine their next line of action.
Good
I appeal to Oyo State government to please have mercy on civil servants and the masses of Oyo State by responding to the NLC demands on time.
God bless Oyo State,
God bless Nigeria.
We bless God for his intervention
You are on point, rightful decisions are taken .