Osun workers suspend strike

Osun State government workers have suspended their three-day old industrial action.

The Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) of the workers disclosed that the strike was suspended following the agreement reached with the government.

According to the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi, government had approved the full payment of December, 2017 salaries and pensions.

He said the payment that was made from the last N6.3billion Paris Club loan refund received by the state, would commence in the second quarter of 2018.

He added that the standing committee on apportionment, payment of salaries and critical expenses would address the modalities for the subsequent payments between January 2018 and the second quarter of the year.

Adekomi said government had also approved the release of N1bn for the bond certificate of public servants who retired on contributory pension scheme.

He explained that the Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, would be committing N5.8billion to the payment of workers’ emoluments.

The amount, he said, represents a total of 91per cent of the total receipts from the third tranche of the Paris Club loan refunds.

The NLC chairman disclosed that the state government had lifted the embargo on promotions based on nominal condition, confirmation of appointments, advancement, transfer, inter-cadre conversions and yearly increment.

He commended the governor for acceding to the workers’ requests in the face of the financial difficulties, and urged the workers to resume work after the New Year celebration.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, commended the workers for their sacrifice, understanding, perseverance and support.

He said the governor was not happy about the payment of modulated salaries to the workers, due to his commitment to their welfare.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has praised the people, including the civil servants for “their loyalty and understanding during the difficult period of recession in the country.”

The party’s chairman, Gboyega Famodun, stated this in Osogbo on Sunday, in his end-of-the year message to the people.

He said: “The party is proud of the people’s resilience and determination to forge ahead with progressive ideas, despite the difficulties that 2017 had presented.”