Organised labour unions in Ondo State have accused the government of “suspiciously and forcefully” introducing percentage and fractional salary payment.

They vowed not to accept the 80 per cent the government offered for last September’s arrears from the second tranche of the Paris Club refund.

Rising from an emergency meeting at the weekend at Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Office in Akure, the state capital, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) said despite an earlier letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu advising his administration against percentage salary payment, the government still directed its accountant-general to pay 80 per cent of last September salary.

At the meeting, presided over by NLC State Chairman, Mrs Bosede Daramola, and her TUC counterpart, Soladoye Ekundayo, the labour leaders recalled that earlier meetings with Akeredolu and some government’s representatives only agreed on how best to use the second tranche of the 75 per cent Paris Club refund for workers on grade levels 1 to 14.

According to them, most workers viewed the 80 per cent, paid last Friday, as a gift and not a salary, until government made full payment of last September’s arrears.

They said: “If Governor Akeredolu’s administration can spend money left in the account by his predecessor, he should also pay in full the debt and salaries owed by Olusegun Mimiko’s government whenever funds are available, instead of using his aides to attack labour unions.

“We will do everything to reject the introduction of percentage salary in Ondo State, no matter government’s propaganda to blackmail us.”

Organised labour expressed disappointment at the attitude of Head of Service (HoS) Toyin Akinkuotu, who failed to protect interest of workers.

They berated the governor’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, for allegedly using unguarded statements on indigenes and labour leaders.

The Nation