SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, (THEWILL) – Ekiti State workers on Friday suspended their four-week-old industrial action, following an agreement they signed with the Governor Ayo Fayose-led government.
At a ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state government and the central labour unions agreed to a seven-point deal, which includes that the state government should within seven days conclude its request with commercial banks to restructure personal loans granted public servants with a view to giving them relief from loan repayment.
Other resolutions reached includes the immediate payment of January 2016 salary and the payment of February salary as soon as Budget Support Fund is available; giving priority to government’s obligations to public servants, payment of September 2014 salary of primary school teachers as well as Leave Bonus of local government employees.
It was also agreed that N10 million will be made available monthly to gradually defray outstanding gratuities, the report of the 2015 staff verification exercise will be released and monthly provision would be made for capacity building of public servants.
The negotiation team on the part of government include: the Secretary to the Government, Dr. Mrs Modupe Alade; the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.
On the part of labour is the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Oladipo Johnson; the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ade Adesanmi and state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Odunayo Adesoye.
Speaking on the development, the Head of Service expressed appreciation for the understanding shown by the labour leaders and the commitment of Governor Fayose to ensure industrial harmony in the state.
He said the gap in the payment of salaries arose following the understanding between labour and government last September that the state’s resources and statutory allocations were no longer adequate to pay salaries and there was need to merge two allocations to pay a month’s salary.
“When you have such a situation, it is obvious that when you get to 12 months, there would be a gap of six months. The arrangement started and we were combining two allocations to pay a month salary. The state government appreciates the workers and value their support and cooperation,” he said.
On his part, the JNC Chairman, Comrade Oladipo Johnson, expressed optimism the suspension of the strike would allow further consultations and commended the workers for their support during the strike.
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