The Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State has criticised Governor Rauf Aregbesola for paying workers half salaries since July 2015.
Speaking on Sunday, the chairman of a faction of the NLC in the state, Mr. Yusuf Gambi, during a rally by the faction to mark this year Workers’ Day said it was unfortunate that workers were always at the receiving end whenever there was an financial challenge.
He criticised the government for executing capital projects while allowing workers to lament in penury due to half salaries which he said were not even regular.
He said workers were not against execution of capital projects but doing so at the detriment of the workers, who were the geese laying the golden eggs was wrong.
Gambi said the N56,000 minimum wage proposed by the NLC for workers was realisable and should by approved to alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerian workers.
He said, “This is the time that Nigerian workers will take their destiny into their hands, we will not want a situation whereby the state govenrment will subject us to unneccsary salvery and we must not forget the fact that Labour is the major machinery and we can’t allow anybody to be using us how they want.
“Government must dance to our own tunes by granting us our requests and let the worker enjoy what they are labour for. Workers salary must not be delayed again.
“Osun State Government designed another means of sacking some workers from the tertiary institutions owns by the state over a mere petition and plan is ongoing to reduce staff strength at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo because doctors embarked on a strike while demanding for their rights.
“Why is it that civil servants are the only ones made to suffer whenever there is an economic crisis? Political office holders enjoy at the expense of Nigerian masses . The present administration should be determined to reduce the cost of governance and enhance revenue collections.”
Gambi said the Ajaero faction of the NLC which he belonged was in support of the anti corruption drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
He also lauded Buhari for his seriousness in tackling the problem of Boko Haram, saying considerable peace had since been restored especially in the North East.
