Gov. Abiodun Apologises To Workers On Pension Bill

Abeokuta - The Ogun State Government leadership which has in attendance the Secretary to the State Government Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Head of Service Alhaja Selimot Otun, the Chief of Staff Alhaji Salisu Shuaib, the Permanent Secretaries of Bureau of Establishment and Training, Bureau of Service Matters, and Bureau of State Pension, Mrs. Lydia  Fajohunbo, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun,, and Mr. Sodeinde respectively met today Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 with the leadership of the organized labour in Ogun State following the public outcry that met the pension bill passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly last week.

The organised labour has in attendance the Joint Negotiating Council Chairman, Comrade Abiodun Folorunsho, the Nigeria Labour Congress chairman Comrade Emmanuel Bankole and the Trade Union Congress Vice Chairman Comrade Akeem Lasisi, the NLC Secretary Comrade Olatunji Ayuba, the JNC Secretary Comrade Olusegun Adebiyi and other labour leaders.

The Secretary to the State Government who spoke on behalf of the State Government apologised to the Organised Labour and pledged the commitment of the Government to the welfare of workers promising that such a situation will not repeat itself. He state that the bill has not become a law because the state government is yet to spend the signature on the bill.

The leadership of the organised labour te stressed how the general workforce in the State was disappointed and displeased with the manner and method adopted in the preparation and passage of the bill. 

The pending issues of unpaid leave allowances, promotion exercises, unremitted global deductions, and unpaid negotiated minimum wage were also discussed at the meeting. 

Both the leadership of the Organised Labour and the government agreed that the pension bill will be put on hold pending the time the issues would be resolved with the organised labour.

In a chat with one of the labour leaders, he confirmed that the seven-day ultimatum given by the labour leaders would be reviewed because of the talks initiated by the government. He however said the leadership would continue to meet to find a lasting solution to workers welfare.