By Adeyinka Adeniran
Pending the immediate intervention of the state government, Oyo workers and Pensioners under the aegis of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its counterpart, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates may declare an indefinite strike in the state from today (Monday).
A Congress where the decision might be taken had been fixed for Monday (today) morning by the Labour leaders as parts of the decision taken at the State Advisory Council (SAC) and State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the two Labour centres at the Labour House, American Quarters, Agodi, Ibadan last week.
Arising from the meeting, the labour leaders had directed all workers to pick their personal effects and assemble at the Labour House on Monday morning (today) for briefing and update on the ongoing negotiations between the government and the Labour unions, particularly on the wage award and welfare of workers and Pensioners in the state.
The labour leaders also at the meeting condemned the attack on the National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajero in Imo state last week Wednesday.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting reads in part “We, the Oyo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united and strongly condemn in totality the recent attack on the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigerian Police in Imo State on Wednesday 2nd November 2023 by the government of Hope Uzodinma and police Force.
“We view this egregious incident as an affront to the fundamental rights and liberties of the Nigerian labour force, and an alarming manifestation of the tyrannical tendencies displayed by some state governments towards the labour movement.
“It is evident that the principles of social justice and the rights of workers are being disregarded in some quarters. We strongly assert that the labour movement is a vital pillar of our democracy and must be allowed to function without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“In conclusion, we, the Oyo State NLC and TUC, wish to make it clear that we will not take this attack on the National President of the NLC or any Labour leader lightly. We stand resolute in our commitment to defending the rights and welfare of workers in Oyo state and throughout Nigeria.
“We call upon the labor community, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in condemning this act and demanding justice, only constructive negotiations that would lead to agreements and implementation can lead to good governance.
“Our struggle for workers’ rights and social justice will not be deterred by acts of tyranny. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a just and equitable society, where the rights and dignity of all workers are upheld and protected.
“After the expiration of the ultimatum served on the State government who are yet to proffer lasting solution to our grievances, all workers (should pick all their personal belongings from office on Friday 3rd November 2023) and Pensioners in the state are to resume at NLC Secretariat Agodi Gate on Monday 6th November 2023 for the largest Congress in the history of Oyo state for further directive.
“We condemn the continued verbal assault and insult by the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr Titi-Lola Sodo to workers, Pensioners and the Labour Movement of Oyo state.”
The communique was jointly signed by Comrade Kayode Martins and Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, NLC and TUC Chairman respectively.
The Nation gathered that, the decision to either embark on strike or not will be taken by the workers at Monday’s meeting.
But a source informed The Nation that the government is also considering acceding the request of the unions on the amount to be paid to the workers and Pensioners to forestall the strike.
According to a source close to the ongoing at the negotiations committee set up by the state, the anger of the labour leaders against the state government was that, Governor Seyi Makinde was the first among its counterparts in the country to set up a negotiations committee to review workers salary shortly after the announcement of removal of subsidy on petroleum, having done so on June 2nd, 2023, but that till date nothing has been done in the interest of the workers before the issue of wage award came up.
The source said the labour leaders expect so much more from Governor Makinde who has proved to be workers-friendly and always looking at setting the pace.
The labour leaders were said to be miffed that many state governors who took a cue from Makinde in setting up the committee have been doing something for their workers but that the Oyo state government was yet to make public its decision on the review.
Asked on the ongoing negotiations on the wage award, the source said the committee would have finished its work and submitted its recommendations but for the government team who turned the table around again.
It was gathered that during the negotiation, the labour team had insisted on something more than the N35, 000 pronounced by the Federal government on the ground that the state as a Pacesetter can choose to make a difference.
The figure was however pegged at N25,000 for workers and N15,000 for Pensioners, with the labour team still hoping to leverage on the goodwill of the governor to beg so that the wage award can be pegged at N30,000 for workers and N20,000 for Pensioners.
Trouble was said to have started when upon convergence of the committee again, the government team said the state can only afford to pay N15,000 and N10,000 for the workers and Pensioners respectively.
The disclosure was said to have angered the labour team who feel disappointed and betrayed by the government team, despite the labour leaders shifting its October 30th deadline to pronounce strike if government fails to reach an agreement with the unions.
A government source said Governor Makinde also felt slighted at the labour leaders whom he expected to show more understanding with the situation in the state.
The source however said the governor is positive in reaching an agreement with the labour leaders and may even beat their expectations on the matter.
As at the time of filing this report, it remained unclear what the government decision would be, but a source within the labour unions said the labour leaders are hoping that the governor will make a pronouncement on the matter before the Monday Congress.
