Minimum Wage: Oyo NLC Vows To Continue Strike

The Oyo State chapter of the NLC has vowed to continue its strike unless the state government withdraws its controversial wage bill table.

The NLC executives, who addressed the aggrieved workers on Tuesday in Ibadan, said they were not satisfied with the new wage table.

The NLC chairman in the state, Nurudeen Arowolo, who addressed the workers after a meeting with the NLC National executives and Oyo State Chapter of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), said the strike would continue.

“We are still agitating for what we have been agitating for and against since this strike began on March 19.

“ We will not accept government lies. We will not go back unless our demands are met.

“While negotiations are still on, we ask for your patience and understanding as we will not give up on your behalf,” Arowolo said.

He, however, said the union was willing to give concessions to workers who were to write a promotion examination on April 10 and teachers invigilating the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASCCE) beginning today.

“Those due for the upcoming promotion exams are allowed to go for their exams while teachers on invigilation duties for the WASSCE are free to do so in consideration of our children’s education,” he said.

The JNC Chairman, Bashiru Olanrewaju, commended workers for their sacrifice and courage, saying labour would ensure that government acceded to workers’ demand.

“As the NLC chairman said, we are still fighting for the benefit of everyone; we will press forward with our own blueprint and hope government can eventually reach a favourable compromise with us,” Olanrewaju said.

The NLC chairman further said that representatives of the national body, who attended the meeting, had returned to Abuja with their report.