Barring any last minute intervention, Ogun State workers will today embark on an indefinite strike to protest alleged non-remittance of deductions and non-payment of gratuity by the state government. That is even as medical doctors in the state begin a one-week warning strike today.

 

The strike was called at the instance of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC). In a statement signed by the General Secretary of JNC, Comrade Olusegun Adebiyi, and made available to reporters in Abeokuta, the workers said the state government failed to address their demands within the 21-day ultimatum earlier issued. Adebiyi said the government failed to respect the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by tripartite groups sometimes in January, this year.

 

He added that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration had apparently reneged on the MoU signed by labour leaders, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and state governments on January 25. According to him, some of the issues raised included the suspension of dysfunctional Contributory Pension Scheme; payment of at least two months deductions out of nine and resumption of payment of gratuity last paid in October 2012.

 

The statement reads, “Following the apparent reneging on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the tripartite group of Labour leaders, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the state government on 25th January, 2016 which includes: Suspension of the dysfunctional Contributory Pension Scheme; Payment of at least, two months global deductions out of nine months (May, July, October, November & December 2015 as well as January and February 2016 and resumption of payment of gratuity last paid in October 2012.

 

“A twenty one day ultimatum was given to the state government dated 25th January, 2016 and the government failed. Labour has declared an indefinite strike action effective from Monday, 7th March, 2016.