Ogun Strike : Govt threatens ‘no work, no pay’ as workers refused to back down

The proposed indefinite strike action by organized labour in Ogun state has pitched the state  government and the workers against each other as both refused to shift ground, Daily Trust can report on Tuesday. Some workers who stood their ground on the planned indefinite strike starting on Thursday, met unyielding government, in the early hours […]

The proposed indefinite strike action by organized labour in Ogun state has pitched the state  government and the workers against each other as both refused to shift ground, Daily Trust can report on Tuesday.

Some workers who stood their ground on the planned indefinite strike starting on Thursday, met unyielding government, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Reacting to the workers 72 hours deadline, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa in a statement "wondered why this few, unpopular elements would seek to lead workers out on a misguided strike action since government has not defaulted in the payment of salaries as and when due.

"For instance, the Ogun State government paid its workers September salaries on September 25, 2016. With regards to the backlog of unpaid cooperative deductions, the SSG added that the state government has also kept faith with an agreement it reached with labour leaders in March 2016 to the effect that one month of cooperative deductions would be paid, alongside monthly salaries, every two months.

"We promised to pay outstanding gratuities when we receive bulk funds from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) but this has not been forthcoming due to the dwindling revenue profile of the state,”

"In view of this, the Ogun State government therefore declares the proposed strike action as illegal, unreasonable and totally uncalled for while urging the generality of its workforce not to heed the call of a few misguided elements whose motive is clearly political " Barrister Adeoluwa said.

He added that that the government position therefore invoked the ‘no work, no pay’ rule of the Trade Dispute Act in relation to any worker who choses to embark on this illegal strike action."

But, the workers affirmed on a radio programme, that they would not succumbed to any intimidation and political colouration to weep sentiments.

"We are going ahead with the strike, it is legitimate, constitutional and legal," said  Comr. Olubunmi