The Organized Labour in Ogun State has suspended its industrial strike after signing a Memorandum of Action (MoA) with the State Government.
The Daily Crucible reports that civil servants in the state withdrew their services indefinitely since Tuesday last week following unresolved issues bordering on state government’s failure to remit 14 years pension deductions, non – implementation of the national minimum wage, the non-payment of eight years’ leave allowances, and the deferment of promotion benefits for workers.
For the better part of last week and early this week, workers at Abeokuta Grammar School, Asero High School, Egba High School, Lisabi Grammar School, and Baptist Boys High School stayed away and the classrooms remained shut and the school premises were bereft of students.
The strike also disrupted the Third Term examinations which were in progress in State public schools before the workers downed tools.
The industrial action also affected activities at the local governments, judiciary and the state hospitals and other agencies.
However, in a statement on Tuesday, July 22, jointly signed by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Unions directed their members to resume work immediately.
The decision to suspend the strike followed interventions by well meaning citizens of the state and national labour leaders who mediated in the industrial dispute between the workers and the state government over alleged 14 years of unpaid Contributory Pension Deductions totalling about N82bn.
The union leaders, however, acknowledged that the engagement with the State Government was meaningful, commending the government representatives for their manifest commitment and openness while the encounters lasted.
The organised labour also hinged reason for suspending the strike on concern over their members’ safety in engaging in further gathering or mobilisation.
“Our safety is paramount and has to be pursued,” the statement read.
