Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi has promised to clear deductions and promotion arrears owed workers in the State before the expiration of his tenure in October.
Fayemi disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ekiti Chapter, led by it’s chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde.
He said government would also look into minimum wage adjustment for workers on grade level 14 and above, as well as payment of promotion arrears for 2019 and 2020.
The Governor stated that it was not the government’s intention not to defray the arrears owed but it was caused by the current cash crunch being experienced by many state governments, including Ekiti, which was as a result of the global economic downturn.
He said that government would continue to do everything possible within available resources to address issues concerning the welfare and wellbeing of the workers, urging them to show understanding with government.
Fayemi urged labour leaders to sustain the ongoing industrial harmony between the state government and workers and as well extend such gesture to the in-coming administration.
He commended the union for their show of understanding in cooperating with his government towards promoting workers welfares, adding that even though there are times both labour and government disagree on some issues.
“So your point about deductions and promotion arrears is well taken and I believe we would do something before this administration completes its tenure in office.
On gratuity, the Governor expressed displeasure that this is one issue he is most unhappy about. “Unfortunately, our pensioners allowed themselves to be deceived when opposition elements distorted the objectives behind our promissory note and bonds scheme which would have enabled us clear a good number of pensioners’ gratuities by now.”
“So, we have had to continue with our N100 million monthly commitment for payment for gratuities to pensioners. Even that has now become difficult for us in our current economic circumstances.
“On promotion arrears, we’ve cleared 2017/2018, we have 2019/2020 that we have to come to terms with. Equally, I know minimum wage adjustment for level 14 and above is one of the issues on your table. We would keep trying to make sure that we make our workers happy and put the leadership of the workforce in a place where they can also hold their own heads high.
The NLC Chairman commended Governor Fayemi for prioritising workers’ welfare through prompt payment of their salaries and other emoluments in spite of the meagre resources in the state.
He appealed to the Governor to fashion out modalities to defray the accumulated gratuities and remittance of outstanding salary deductions to cooperative societies.
