Ondo state workers begin strike

Ondo state workers begin strike
Uche Iheanacho

Despite appeals from the Ondo state government in south-west Nigeria to its public servants not to go on strike over the 18,000 Naira minimum wage, (approximately $116), the leadership of the workers has directed its members to stay off duty as from Thursday.

The directive was sequel to expiration of the seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the workers to the state government to implement the new package.

The public servants under the auspices of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) at a meeting held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure, the State’s capital on Tuesday said the strike action was irreversible.

The workers, who offered prayers at the meeting, mandated the leadership to declare strike with effect from Thursday, June 23, 2011 if the government fails to heed to their demands.

They expressed annoyance over what was described as the government's uncaring stance over the matter describing it as ‘time-buying attitude.’

"If the state government declines to consider and approve the salary table agreed upon by workers and consequently issue an enabling circular to back up its immediate implementation between now and mid-night of Wednesday 22nd June, 2011, all workers in the public service of Ondo State shall proceed on an indefinite strike action with effect from Thursday, 23rd June, 2011," the JNC said.

Government stance

However, the state head of service, Mrs Ajose Kudehinbu said that the government was not preparing for workers' strike over the issue.

Kudehinbu, who spoke to journalists at the meeting with the labour leaders, said government had nothing to hide on the issue, declaring that the minimum wage matter between labour and the state government would soon be resolved.

"We are preparing for a resolution of the crisis. The deputy governor led the government side and other top functionaries were at the meeting. What they said when they were asked to back down on the deadline they gave to the government was that they were going to consult with their members,” she said.

"We have not heard anything to the contrary; we expect them to tell their members that a Joint Technical Committee has been set up and we shall meet at 12noon today to resolve the matter. That does not amount to an ultimatum or a unilateral action on the part of government," she added.

Kudehinbu explained that the essence of the negotiation was for them to reach a consensus. She stressed that government was not going to hide anything from workers and that it expected that the workers would bring to the table all the facts and all the data they have.

She said: “If at the end of the day, it is clear to everybody that government can pay N18,000, why not? If on the other hand, it is clear that government cannot pay, again that is not a decision one side will take, government will not take that decision alone."

Shakira