Workers in Ekiti State on Thursday commenced an indefinite strike action over non-payment of salaries.
The strike action was sequel to a ‘stay at home’ order given to Ekiti civil servants by the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
In the same vein, the Ekiti Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolawole Olaiya, has said that the inability of the Governor Ayo Fayose administration to pay workers’ salary is an indication that “Ekiti has become a failed state”.
In a joint statement signed by NLC Secretary, Comrade Olayemi OJP; Joint Negotiating Committee Secretary, Blessing Oladele and TUC secretary, Adebayo J. A, the organised labour reminded Fayose of the 48 hours’ ultimatum given to him to pay all deductions and five months salaries, which expired yesterday.
Speaking with reporters in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday, the TUC chairman said prevailing shortfall of allocation from the Federation Account was not strong excuse not to pay workers, warning that unless the state government acceded to the demands of labour by midnight of yesterday, industrial action would commence today.
Olaiya said, “Every government is created for the security and welfare of the people and it is criminal for any government not to pay its workers their salaries. A government that cannot pay for five months is a failed government”.
