The Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Jacob Adekomi, said that the state government was considering laying off some of its workers due to the cash crunch it experienced, disclosing that the union accepted the half salary payment offered in order to save civil servants’ their jobs.
According to Adekomi, there was no time the state labour union entered into any official agreement with the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration for the payment of half salaries to workers, contrary to speculations by some workers and others that the labour leaders in the state shortchanged the workers by signing an agreement with the government to pay 50 percent of their salaries.
The NLC boss, while speaking in Osogbo on Thursday, said, rather, it was agreed upon that Aregbesola should pay the workers with, “Whatever that is available, based on the circumstances we found ourselves in the state.
“Osun found itself in a precarious situation some years back, say two years ago, because of the the dwindling Federal Government allocation to the state, and government found it very hard to even pay workers. There were these permutations whether to reduce the staff strength. Should we reduce the staff strength? Those that have spent 30 and 35 years in service, should they go home?
” We thought if they (government) reduced staff strength, some people will be receiving full salary why some will be at home. We remembered that our people (workers) prepare for retirement, when they are about five years to retirement. Then, if you are now saying that workers around 55 years in service should go, that means so many will go home sadly.
“We have over 6,000 workers. It was then we told the governor that whatever that is available should be used to pay our salary. There has never been a time we (labour and government) signed an agreement for 50 percent salary payment. Instead, we told the government that instead of retrenching workers, we are ready to get whatever that is available.
” Its just a symbiotic relationship and we are coming out of it gradually by the grace of God.”
While explaining the outcome of the meeting held with the state government on Wednesday night on how the N6.314billion second tranche Paris Club loan refund would be spent, Adekomi said it was agreed that about 80.5 percent of the total fund should be used to pay salary and pension arrears for July and August 2015 and the leave bonus of the same year.
“The Paris Club loan refund is meant for both local and state governments workers and the fund is N6.314billion. Out of this money, the arrears of salary and pension in the month of July and August in 2015 is N2.1billion. So, the government has approved the payment of salaries and pension arrears for July and August 2015 and also the 2015 leave bonus. We have N5.8billion out of the total N6.314billion, making 80.5 percent of the total sum given to the state to be used for the payment of these arrears.
” As we are pursuing the arrears of workers and the gratuities of our fathers (retirees), there was a lot of problems. Also, the contributory pension of some people, who have retired in the past two or three years, they have not received their bond and the government is trying to take care of them, too, so that their suffering will be mitigated.
“You will recall that the Federal Government allocation was received just two days ago; there was a slight improvement in the revenue of the government and that is what we have been waiting for and if it continued, we will start having our full salaries paid. Osun workers are not cowards, but showing understanding and this should not be taken as foolishness. Mr. Governor has realised this and we want to appreciate him,” he said.
Adekomi dispelled speculations that the governor once made attempts to convince the state work force to forfeit the backlog of their salaries, saying, “He (Aregbesola) has never called us (labour) for once to write off the debts he owes us. He (Aregbesola) has never said that he would not pay our arrears. As from this evening, people (workers) will be seeing alerts for July and August, 2015 and the leave bonus for 2015.”
He explained that grade levels 1 to 7 had been receiving their full salaries, while 8 to 11 were receiving 75 percent while 12 and above were being paid 50 percent.
Meanwhile, contrary to Adekomi’s claim that the government would be spending 80.5 percent of the Paris refund in paying arrears, the state government has said it would use only 70 percent in paying salaries and pensions.
The post by the state government on its Facebook page and Twitter handles reads, “The Government of the State of Osun has resolved to use 70% of the N6.314 billion of the Paris Club Loan Refund for the payment of salaries and pensions.
“This decision was arrived at the State Executive Council meeting today (Wednesday).”
