Workers say no amount of intimidation can stop strike

Organised Labour in Ekiti said on Thursday no amount of intimidation would stop the ongoing strike in the state.

The state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ade Adesanmi, said this after a meeting with members of the state legislature in Ado-Ekiti.

The NLC chairman, who led other leaders of unions affiliated to the congress, said that no state worker had been paid salaries in the past five months.

Adesanmi alleged that Gov. Ayo Fayose decided to employ the divide and rule tactics rather than dialogue with labour.

"It is disheartening that government is castigating us for demanding for our legitimate right.

"There is hunger in town; there is economic hardship; our members can no longer feed their families.

He, however, said that the NLC was ready to dialogue, if there was commitment on the part of government.

"Labour's doors are open for negotiation; but this ongoing strike continues until government shows some level of commitment."

NAN reports that the Speaker, EKiti State House of Assembly, Mr Kola Oluwawole, has pleaded with labour to go back to work, while discussion continues.

Oluwawole promised to organise a meeting between the government and labour, to find lasting solution to the crisis, so that it does not affect the development of the state.

Some of the legislators, who included Dr Samuel Omotoso, Olatunji Akinyele, Dayo Akinleye, pleaded with labour to show some level of understanding in the current matter.

The lawmakers sympathised with workers over the delay in the payment of their allowances and salaries.

They said that the hardship being experienced should not be seen as deliberate but one caused by the economic situation in the country.

NAN reports that present at the meeting included Mr Bunmi Ajimoko, the Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Chairman Joint Negotiation Committee, Mr Oladipo Johnson, and Mr Funso Adeojo of Non-academic Staff Union (NASU).