Workers Tackle Fayose over Claim on Outstanding Salaries

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ekiti chapter, has expressed dissatisfaction over claim by Governor Ayodele Fayose that workers in the state are being owed just four month salary arrears.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Com. Ade Adesanmi while reacting to Fayose’s claim, different categories of workers in Ekiti are being owed between five and eight month.

He said workers still remain unwavering in their loyalty to
the state government, but cautioned that making unbridled and
misleading comments about the welfare of the workers can strain the
relationship between the government and the workforce.

Breaking down the level of indebtedness of the government to workers,
 Adesanmi said: “The state workers’ benefits are in different
categories thus: pension , gratuity , deductions and salary.

“As we speak now, the State civil servants are owed five months
salary arrears, local government, eight months and subvented
institutions , like College of Education Ikere, College of Heath
Technology Ijero and Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, are owed
seven month salary arrears.

“One cannot but talk about the plights of the pensioners, because one
day we will all retire, either on account of age or length of
service. As of now, pensioners are being owed five month pension
arrears while gratuity has not been paid since 2012 when former
Governor Kayode Fayemi was in the saddle.

“Ekiti workers are not oblivious of the economic recession that had
depleted the financial strength of many states of the federation,
including Ekiti. It was on this strength that workers have been
showing understanding about inability of the government to pay up to
date.



“Let me state that we all owe it a responsibility to contribute to the
development of this state, but we need to give out correct and
accurate information to the public , so that the government and
workers can be on the same page, otherwise there will be friction.

“I want to appeal to the already restive workers to be patient,
particularly those who were ruffled by the information .

“We are also assuring them that the NLC and the organized labour will
continue to do those things that will promote their welfare in spite
of the dwindling revenue to the state”, he said.

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