By Michael Ofulue
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The Osun State Government and the State leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress may be heading for a collision course due to the recent decision of the government to conduct an audit report of all civil servants in the State.
While the State Government claimed that conducting audit on the Civil servants in the State is not to witchhunt or sack any worker, the leadership of NLC perceived otherwise.
Immediately the government announced its decision to conduct audit the leadership of the labour movement kicked against the staff audit proposed by the state government and demanded a proper briefing on the exercise.
The position of the labour leaders was sequel to the circulation of forms among workers by a consulting firm hired by the state government for the purpose of counting the number of workers on its payroll.
But the leadership of the Joint Labour Movement comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the state, rising from a meeting said it was rejecting the exercise going by hardship that were usually experienced by workers and pensioners in the past, after such an audit.
The group’s letter to the Osun Head of Service read in part, “At the end of the emergency meeting comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council which deliberated extensively on a purported 2023 Staff Audit Forms in circulation among the workers of Osun state, resolved as follows:
“That the Joint Labour Movement in the state rejects in its entirety, the circulation of the purported illegal forms by SALLY TIBBOT CONSULTING.
“That considering the past experiences of Osun workers in exercises of this nature, the entire joint Labour Movement in the state totally reject any form of a contractual agreement or consultancy service(s) that will further bring untold hardship on the workers and pensioners of Osun state.”
TUC state chairman, Comrade Adebowale Adekola, who addressed reporters in Osogbo said that: “We are stakeholders in government but we were not briefed about this staff audit. Circulating forms within an organisation without properly informing the leadership of such an institution is unfair.
“No sane human being will tolerate such a move. The government has the power and capacity to do staff audit or take inventory, but we also have the mandate to protect the rights of workers. We should be properly briefed first.”
The state government, however, allayed the fears of labour leaders over the exercise, which it said, is neither to witch-hunt anybody, nor an agenda to sack workers from the state service.
Consequently, a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the government said it has taken note of the concerns of labour leaders as the Governor has directed a review of the issues raised by the union leadership.
While describing the relationship between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the labour movement as unprecedented in Osun state, the government noted that there was no hidden agenda to sack workers through the ongoing staff audit, maintained that the welfare of labour is and a priority item on its governance agenda, assuring all stakeholders that no anti-labour policy can surface under the watch of the current administration.
“The Government has taken judicious note of the concerns of labour leaders. The executive Governor has directed a review of the issues raised by the union leadership.
“The administration wishes to put it on record that there is no hidden agenda to sack workers through the ongoing staff audit. The deep relationship between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the labour movement is unprecedented in the history of labour and Government in Osun state.
“As a government with labour welfare as the first item on its governance agenda, the unions are reassured that their interest and that of their members are well protected. The request of the labor leadership to be part of the audit process is being looked into by the state government.
”Governor Ademola Adeleke as a due process leader who has forged a close partnership with the labour movement is also the best defender of labour aspirations in the state today. All stakeholders should therefore be rest assured that no anti-labour policy can surface under the watch of the current labour friendly administration”, the statement noted
It would be recalled that the Joint Labour Movement in the State has commended the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke for his kind gesture in approving welfare packages for active workers and retirees in the state saying the gesture was in response to various interface they had with the government.
According to a statement jointly signed by Com. Jacob Adekomi (State Chairman, NLC), Com. Adekola Adebowale (State Chairman, TUC) and Com. Lasun Akindele State Chairman JNC) respectively the labour leaders described the Governor’s gesture as unprecedented.
“The payment of salary arrears, contributory pensions, half salary arrears, cash backing of promotion exercises and most importantly outstanding deductions will boost the morale of active public servants and renew hope of retired officers.
“Therefore, the labour movement on behalf of the entire workers and retirees pledge our continued loyalty and support to your good government for this act of kindness which will definitely serve as a veritable drive for increased productivity of our dutiful members,” the statement posited.
Adeleke had earlier directed the immediate payment of half salaries’ arrears and cash backing of promotion exercises from 2019 to 2022 in the state. recalling that Former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, in 2016 introduced half salary in the civil service which attracted several criticisms.
The governor, approved welfare packages for active and retired workers at both State and Local Government levels.
According to the statement issued by the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina who said contributory pensions owed would also be cleared also ordered the immediate payment of arrears of half salaries for January, 2016.
“Subsequent payment of arrears of half salaries once in a quarter beginning with the second quarter of year 2023;
“Monthly payment of arrears of half salaries to Contributory Pensioners (State and Local) who have not received their bonds with effect from February, 2023;
“Payment of four (4) months outstanding deductions (May and June, 2019, February, 2020 and October, 2022) starting with the immediate payment of May 2019 deduction and the other three months deductions at once per quarter; and cash backing of the years 2019 to 2022 promotion exercises.”
