The Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led government in Oyo State has reacted to the three-day warning strike embarked upon by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) in the state.
It has thus, invoked no-work-no-pay rule on workers in the state government employ that failed to report at their duty posts.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Olalekan Alli and made available to journalists yesterday.
The statement, while viewing the unilateral declaration of the three-day warning strike by the labour as absolutely unwarranted and unjustifiable, added that by the law setting up the tertiary institutions, government was not responsible for the payment of salaries of workers in those institutions as being insinuated.
“Government is only obliged to grant the tertiary institutions subventions, which each institution would apply to whichever area of the need that its Governing Council and management may decide upon.”
The SSG further clarified that salaries and pensions of workers at the state level have been paid up till November 2017, with only one month salary and pension (December 2017) that is still outstanding.
He noted that the government has been fulfilling its other responsibilities, commitment and functions, using other resources such as IGR, credits and grants at its disposal to satisfy the yearnings of the people as would be expected.
On the sack of 256 members of staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Alhaji Alli stated that upon receipt og the letter, the state government invited labour to a meeting, which he said they promised to attend, but finally failed to honour the attendance.
Alli further pointed out that government has consistently honoured its obligations to labour by ensuring monthly salaries were paid from the 100% FAAC allocation to the state and the Budget Support Fund including over 70% of other receivables (Excess Crude and Paris Club Reimbursement despite the Federal Government advice of 50% payment therefrom for salaries).
“The recent forensic audit reports on the tertiary institutions revealed a great deal of shortcomings such as inefficiencies, leakages, poor management, and other ineptitudes. Some institutions were even declared unsustainable and unviable. The consultant further recommended their closure. However, the recently constituted Governing Councils have been mandated to review their statuses and act suitably.”
“Contrary to Labour’s allegation, although Government on assumption of office in 2011, inherited Local Government Pension arrears totalling N4,736,741,934.49, it is on record that Government has disbursed pensions and gratuity of retired primary school teachers to the tune of N11,729,534,282.54.”
“Meanwhile, to avert further build up and eliminate the hardship arising therefrom, the Contributory Pension Scheme has been adopted as a solution to effectively address the issue.”
The state’s scribe, however, enjoined all striking workers not to absent themselves from duty, as doing so will attract the no-work no-pay rule according to the Trade Dispute Act 2010 Section43(1)(a).
Packaged by Oyedapo Oyewole
