Ogun workers insist on strike, shun parley with monarchs

Efforts by some first class traditional rulers in Ogun State to appeal to workers to shelve their proposed strike were futile on Wednesday as organised labour shunned a parley with them.
The Ogun State Council of Obas had invited labour leaders to a meeting to shelve the strike.
One of the labour leaders, who spoke anonymously, said they agreed to shun the meeting with the monarchs “so that they won’t change our decision. This time around, we are ready for a showdown with the state government. We are not slaves. The government must pay us what is due to us”.
At the meeting were the chairman of the council who is the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and others.
The monarchs were angry that the workers kept them waiting.
After watching a video clip, the monarchs described the proposed strike as politically motivated.
Oba Olugbenle, who addressed reporters, said: “The workers’ action of shunning this meeting is a total disregard for the traditional institution and elders. This is very disrespectful and disappointing of the workers. The Paramount Rulers and all Obas in Ogun State are not in support of any call by the organised labour to call workers out to embark on any action at a critical time in the history of our nation.
“Strike is not the solution to the problem confronting the nation as the critical productivity sectors of the state will suffer.
“The organised labour are enjoined to show understanding and perseverance during this recession period with the state government that is striving within its means to ensure that salaries are paid regularly as at when due, compared to their contemporary in other states being owned several months of unpaid salaries.”
“We also frowned at the shameful and embarrassing conduct of one of the workers’ unions during the Teachers Day celebration on 5th October, 2016 in the state where a mere celebration of Teachers was turned to a political platform. We wonder why serving civil servants will turn themselves to politicians.”
“This is not the time to strike, strike will not resolve anything, it will only cause more problems. This is the time for us all to assist, support and cooperate with the government to develop the state.
“Yes, we are aware that what they are fighting for is their legitimate right and the government is not saying it won’t pay but they should be more patient with the governor and give him more time.”
“We are all affected by the economic hardship of the country. Even our own allocation has gone down by more than 50 per cent so we are not isolated by the situation.”
Oba Adetona said: “If the strike is motivated by agents from outside the state for them to throw this state into chaos, then it is just too bad and unfortunate. It is also unfortunate that labour leaders have refused to give us the opportunity to address them, to ask them questions and to ask whether the governor has been fulfilling his pledge.”