Stop anti-workers’ policy, TUC tells Ondo govt

Ondo State chapter of the Trade Union Congress has accused the APC-led government in the state of embarking on anti-workers policies, describing it as unfair. The congress, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Mr. Ekundayo Soladoye and Mr. Fatuase Clement respectively, also alleged that the Akeredolu’s administration has been using unfair labour […]

Ondo State chapter of the Trade Union Congress has accused the APC-led government in the state of embarking on anti-workers policies, describing it as unfair.

The congress, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Mr. Ekundayo Soladoye and Mr. Fatuase Clement respectively, also alleged that the Akeredolu’s administration has been using unfair labour practice against workers in the state.

The statement reads: “The congress expressed its frustration at the long list of issues concerning workers’ welfare which the state government has left unattended to.

“The issues ranging from workers 2017 promotion, payment of 2017 leave bonuses, remittance of deductions, payment of arrears of salaries/pensions and payment of 20 percent balance of 2016 September salary among others.

“We are compelled to conclude that the unwillingness on the part of the state government to meet with the union leaders to resolve these issues is a deliberate ploy to short-changed the workers of the state."

However, in his reaction, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi denied the allegation that the government operates anti-workers policies.

He said the role of the workers was very essential in the government and they could not be maltreated by the government.

Olowolabi also stated that the present government in the state is workers-friendly since its inception, saying all issues raised by the union would be adequately tackled by the governor.

He said, "Governor Akeredolu has promised to have cordial relationship with the state civil servants and that is what he has been doing since he assumed office in February; so we have never operated any anti-workers policy and if the union is not comfortable in some areas, I think the governor would address those areas, they (workers) should just be patient," he urged.