Kogi rules out pay for striking workers

The Kogi State government has warned that it will not pay workers who fail to turn-up for work on the account of the ongoing industrial action declared by the organised labour in the state. The Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja […]

The Kogi State government has warned that it will not pay workers who fail to turn-up for work on the account of the ongoing industrial action declared by the organised labour in the state.

The Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja said government will not leave the people "abandoned" in the face of "the ill-fated" strike called by Labour leaders in the State.

He said that government was assessing the situation in the state as it relates to the ongoing industrial action called by labor union leaders in the state, adding that it would afford the state the opportunity to correct the "top-loaded civil service in the state".

"Government has done its best to satisfy the demands of Labour in the state, including the settlement of salary arrears met on assumption of office by the present administration.

"It is unfortunate for a set of Labour leaders to publicly declare that the State Government should not expect productivity from a sector that is not only the engine room of government, but also takes over 70% of its resources. Leadership is all about responsibility.

"Continuous abstinence from work will be tantamount to abdication of duty and government will have no choice than to be decisive in order to save the system. We must protect our state from those who politic with the welfare of the people.

"We are owing a month and a half salaries and will sort it out soon. Those being owed arrears as a result of the clemency granted erring workers by the Governor will soon be paid as we are 98% done with the harmonization.

"We urge workers to return to their duty posts and continue to make their demands. We will yield to demands that are tenable but there is no organization in the world that will kick against the electronic register," Fanwo said.

Fanwo urged different interest groups in the state to call on Labour to sheathe their sword and go back to work, saying government will be prepared to allay their fears.