Workers Begin Strike In Osun

Workers Begin Strike In Osun To Protest 17 Months’ Salary Arrears

With less than a month to its gubernatorial election, workers in Osun State have commenced a three-day warning strike.

Civil servants in the state stayed away from work on Wednesday following the notice of strike issued by labour unions in the state on Tuesday.

The Joint Labour Unions, comprising the Joint Negotiating Council, Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress, in the state, are demanding the payment of 17 months’ salary arrears and other entitlements.

According to a joint statement released, the union demanded, “payment of 34 months’ pension arrears of retired workers in the state, remittance of 34 months’ contributory pension arrears, and payment of outstanding gratuity to all pensioners”.

Also, the workers are demanding payment of the 2016 leave allowances across board to officers of the state government.

No worker was seen in the premises of the state secretariat, as it was under lock and key. Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government Secretariats were also under lock and key.

In his reaction, Adelani Baderinwa, the Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said a meeting was being arranged with the workers to resolve the issues.

He said: “We always find a way of resolving whatever differences that we have with the workers in the state and I assure you that this is not going to be an exception.

“The issues raised are issues that are always being addressed since, even without anybody asking for it, I am sure we are going to find a way of resolving the issues.”

The state will elect new leaders on September 22, 2018.