Chairman of Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (TORAN) Ogun State chapter, Abdulwaasi Agunbiade (A.K.A Yayi Agbara) has reacted to a one-week warning strike declared by Ogun workers over minimum wage and other demands.
In a statement made available to SwageNews, the union leader described it as painful that despite a round table discussion with the Ogun State government, the organised labour still embarked on the strike beginning from Wednesday in the state.
“I really feel the pains of the civil servants and public workers in the state as regards their legitimate demands from the government of our dear state. It’s painful but not regretful they have to come this far despite all avenues to make a round table discussion work out fine” Agunbiade said.
Speaking further, he commended Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration in the state for allowing workers to put forward their agitation in a democratic manner, saying “It has always been preparation for war for Labour workers to have things like this in the past”.
Agunbiade, who wished the demands of the labour forces were met in the state, urged them to put the effect of covid-19 on the gateway state into consideration.
“As much as I wanted the demands of the Labour forces in the state met, I wouldn’t want them not to put into consideration the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state economy. The pandemic is a disaster destiny and time has imposed on us all as human existence and our dear state isn’t an exemption” Agunbiade expressed concern.
He believed “it’ll be a thing of joy if reasonable conclusion by both parties in the interest of our dear state is reached”.
The state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Emmanuel Bankole declared the one week warning strike on Tuesday, after a three-hour closed door meeting between the organised labour and government officials ended in a deadlock in Abeokuta.
According to Bankole, some of the demands included the abolition of the pension reform bill, the payment of gratuities, payment of an outstanding six years leave allowances, three years promotion and 134 months unpaid pension.
However, special adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Public Communications, Remmy Hazzan admitted that the workers demands are legitimate but the state financial status make it incapable to implement the minimum wage this time.
He said the government will continue to engage the organised labour to resolve the issue.
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