Workers in the service of Ekiti state civil service Monday called off their industrial action barely 12 hours after the commencement of the 3-day warning strike to press for payment of outstanding benefits.
The workers claimed that the suspension of the strike was sequel to Governor Kayode Fayemi’s readiness to meet some of the demands outlined by organised labour at a meeting held midnight Sunday.
Shortly after the organised labour in a joint statement signed by the chairmen of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Kolade, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Sola Adigun and Joint Negotiating Council (HNC), Kayode Fatomiluyi, had on, Friday issued the strike notice, Governor Fayemi summoned a meeting to deliberate on how to avert the crisis.
Despite the action taken to pacify the aggrieved labour leaders, the strike was successful Monday before the dramatic turn of events, as workers complied with the labour’s directive, by shunning their duty posts.
When journalists visited the new secretariat along new Lying road and the old governor’s office at Oke Ori Omi, the offices looked deserted and few staff was seen performing skeletal works in their respective offices.
In the communique issued at the end of the trouble shooting parley held by government and labour delegations, government agreed to immediately effect the financial benefits of 2015 promotion by September 2020, while that of the 2016 to 2019 will follow.
During the negotiation, the Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi , Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Com. Oluyemi Esan and the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Service Matters, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi led government’s delegation that met with the labour leaders .
The communiqué jointly signed by the two negotiating sides leading to the suspension of the strike reads: “That government will continue to pay the gross salaries of workers.
“That government will effect payment of financial benefits for 2015 promotion by September while that of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 will follow.
“That payment of outstanding deduction for the month of May 2020 is to be paid in phases and to pay outstanding deductions, salaries and leave bonuses in phases.
“That negotiation on the implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment will resume as soon OVID-19 subsides.
“That other issues affecting public service in relation to service matters shall be looked into.
“Therefore, the three days warning strike proposed to commence Monday, 3rd August, 2020, is called off immediately,” it stated.
