Moves by Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko to ensure that workers called off their three-week-old strike yesterday proved abortive as the meeting he held with them was deadlocked.
The governor, who met the striking workers at the International Events Centre, Akure, appealed to them to return to work in the interest of the state and its future.
Mimiko said the state’s revenue was not sufficient to cater for the salaries of the workers, urging them to embrace the government’s move.
The governor, who said the state has “only N3.4 billion in the bank”, said the money could not be enough to pay a month’s salary, let alone the two months demanded by the workers.
Mimiko met with workers from level one to 17, explaining to them that only local government workers and primary schools’ teachers could be paid for a month.
The governor said their salaries would cost N2.7 billion and leaving N700 million.
“Workers’ salaries cost the government N3.9 billion per month and with this, government needs additional N500 million to pay the workers,” he said.
He pleaded with them to appreciate his intention not to pay half salaries, saying he was not happy with their plight.
Mimiko added that economic challenge was the major constraint of his government.
He said he was ready to pay the outstanding debts as soon as the economy improves.
But the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Bosede Daramola, who responded on behalf of the workers, lamented the hardship being experienced by them.
She declared that the strike would continue until the state government is able to pay at least two months’ salaries.
Mrs. Daramola directed the workers to keep on with the industrial action until further directive by the NLC leadership.
She maintained that the excuses of the government was not tenable, saying workers have been in serious sufferings since January, this year.
She assured that workers would resume as soon as their two months’ salaries are paid.
The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeyele, said the governor was not putting anything on the table to negotiate on.
He urged the workers to continue to speak with one voice.
The governor, who met the striking workers at the International Events Centre, Akure, appealed to them to return to work in the interest of the state and its future.
Mimiko said the state’s revenue was not sufficient to cater for the salaries of the workers, urging them to embrace the government’s move.
The governor, who said the state has “only N3.4 billion in the bank”, said the money could not be enough to pay a month’s salary, let alone the two months demanded by the workers.
The governor said their salaries would cost N2.7 billion and leaving N700 million.
“Workers’ salaries cost the government N3.9 billion per month and with this, government needs additional N500 million to pay the workers,” he said.
He pleaded with them to appreciate his intention not to pay half salaries, saying he was not happy with their plight.
Mimiko added that economic challenge was the major constraint of his government.
He said he was ready to pay the outstanding debts as soon as the economy improves.
But the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Bosede Daramola, who responded on behalf of the workers, lamented the hardship being experienced by them.
She declared that the strike would continue until the state government is able to pay at least two months’ salaries.
Mrs. Daramola directed the workers to keep on with the industrial action until further directive by the NLC leadership.
She maintained that the excuses of the government was not tenable, saying workers have been in serious sufferings since January, this year.
She assured that workers would resume as soon as their two months’ salaries are paid.
The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeyele, said the governor was not putting anything on the table to negotiate on.
He urged the workers to continue to speak with one voice.
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