By Ayodele Oni
The end has finally come to cordial relationship between Governor Kayode Fayemi government and trade unions in Ekiti state as one of the industrial unions is now up in arms against the state government.
The TUC, one of the affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has demanded from the government to live up to its promise to pay workers entitlements, barely four months to the end of the administration.
The TUC on Tuesday issued a 21-day ultimatum to Ekiti State Government to pay outstanding allowances, arrears, deductions, and leave bonuses to its members.
The Chairman, TUC, Shola Adigun said in Ado Ekiti, the state’s capital that the union has been patient with the State government for the most part of the three and half years that the promises were made.
The Salary arrears, according to him, include two months at the State level, and five at the Local Governments, Tertiary institutions have three arrears of subvention yet to be paid, and Cooperative Deductions is put at seven months.
Also four months arrears of Pension, Gratuity from 2013 till date among others are still outstanding, the Union leader said.
Rising from its meeting, the State Executive Council also called for the implementation of promotion for levels 11 to 14 officers, which has been pending.
The TUC chairman pointed out that the harmonious relationship between the Union and the Government may not be guaranteed after 21 days if their prayers are not answered.
He said the appeal is necessary at this time because the government has just four months to hand over to the incoming administration and wants to avoid a spillover.
There were moves by the state government to offset some of the workers entitlements before the Governorship election, but nothing was done.
Payment of outstanding benefits of workers in the state was part of the campaign promises of parties that participated in the election.
At the inauguration of a transition committee to midwife the incoming administration on Monday, Governor Fayemi had said that the Governor elect, being part of the outgoing government, is aware of some of the problems of the state.
The tenure of incumbent administration ends in October.
