Osun workers suspend three-day strike

The joint labour unions in Osun on Saturday called off their three-day-old strike embarked upon on Wednesday after meeting with the state government officials.

NAN reports that the labour unions, led by Jacob Adekomi, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), agreed to call off the strike after the state government acceded to some of their demands and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed.

Adekomi said the Osun government has agreed to pay workers full salary for the month of December from the N6.3 billion Paris Club refund received from the federal government.

He also said Rauf Aregbesola, Osun governor, has approved the release of N1 billion to cover bond certificate of civil servants that retired on contributory pension scheme, while pensioners would now be paid full pension henceforth.

He said the government has equally lifted the embargo on promotion, confirmation of appointments, advancement and inter-cadre conversions and yearly increment.

Adekomi however said the payment of full salaries and pension would commence by the second quarter of 2018.

He said modalities for subsequent payment of salaries and pensions between January 2018 and second quarter of the year would be addressed by the standing committee on apportionment, payment of salaries and critical expenses.

While appreciating the governor for acceding to all their demands, the chairman promised that civil servants in the state would continue to discharge their duties effectively.

Adekomi therefore called on workers to resume work after the New Year celebration.