The organised labour in Ekiti State has suspended its ongoing three day warning strike embarked upon to protest over the failure of the state government to pay its members’ entitlements.
The industrial action which began on Monday was suspended indefinitely sequel to the government’s readiness to meet some of the demands outlined by organised labour at a meeting held midnight Sunday.
Despite the action taken to pacify the aggrieved labour leaders, the strike was successful on Monday before the dramatic turn of events, as workers complied with the labour’s directive, by shunning their duty posts.
In a communique issued in Ado-Ekiti on Monday at the end of the negotiation meeting held by both government and labour delegations, government agreed to immediately effect the financial benefits of 2015 promotion by September, 2020, while that of the 2016 to 2019 will follow.
The Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi , Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Com. Oluyemi Esan and the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Service Matters, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi led government’s delegation that met with the labour leaders .
The communique jointly signed by the two negotiating sides leading to the suspension of the strike reads: “That government will continue to pay the gross salaries of workers.
“That government will effect payment of financial benefits for 2015 promotion by September while that of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 will follow.
“That payment of outstanding deduction for the month of May, 2020 to be paid in phases and to pay outstanding deductions, salaries and leave bonuses in phases.
“That negotiation on the implementation of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment will resume as soon as COVID 19 subsides.
“That other issues affecting public service in relation to service matters shall be looked into.
“Therefore, the three days warning strike proposed to commence on Monday, 3rd August, 2020 , is called off immediately,” it stated.