The Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the state government, threatening to embark on a sit-at-home strike if the government fails to honour its agreement by the end of October.
This announcement came as part of the resolutions made during a congress held at the NLC Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.
Kayode Martins, the Chairman of the NLC in Oyo State, addressed journalists after the congress, emphasising the urgency of the matter.
He revealed that the union had already informed its members about the ongoing discussions with the government to determine an appropriate arrangement for wage increases based on the recommendations of the workers.
Martins stated, “Today’s congress was solely called on the wage award issue, which has been lingering for a while. Both the state’s workers and pensioners are growing increasingly frustrated. Despite numerous meetings, including those held after the ad hoc committee was inaugurated and discussions with the governor, no progress has been made since May 29 this year.”
The NLC Chairman further explained, “We have been having meetings upon meetings, and people decided today (Monday) that we are standing on the agreement made between the Federal Government, the Governors’ Forum, and national labour leaders.
“The agreement stipulates that if, by the end of the month, the wage award of N35,000 for workers and N25,000 for pensioners is not implemented, people should stay at home.”
The NLC is now preparing to send an official notice to the government and all relevant stakeholders regarding their intention to proceed with the sit-at-home strike.
News About Nigeria reports that Martins also appealed to the Oyo State government to be generous in its approach and consider raising the amount beyond the proposed N35,000 for workers and N25,000 for pensioners.
He recognised the state governor as an advocate for workers and pensioners, stating, “His second term in office is our project, and we were able to deliver. Now, it’s payback time for us. We are hoping for something beyond N35,000 and N25,000 from him.”
