Paris Club Refund; Workers And Akeredolu Set For showdown Over Salary Payment
Organized labour in Ondo appears set for a show down with the state government over the 2nd tranche of the Paris club refund.
The showdown is further said to be a fallout of the disagreement on the modalities and fraction of the Paris club refund to be used in offsetting the september salary arrears owed workers by the immediate past administration.
Organised labour and the ondo state government took time to explain each party’s position on Orange FM’s Freedom Arena, a news and current affairs programme.
Speaking on the show, Ondo state Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Com. Soladoye Ekundayo said workers would not accept any attempt by government to give them salary in bits.
While acknowledging that the allocated money for salaries from the Paris club refund is not sufficient to pay the September arrears, Comrade Ekundayo appealed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to find a way to augment the shortfall.
But, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Kunle Adebayo called for more understanding for the present government, he noted has shown so much concern for workers since it came on board.
Adebayo said it was not a wise decision for government to borrow to pay salaries as this might lead to mortgaging the future of generations unborn.
He added that government also has a responsibility to meet the needs of other strata of the state, just like it does for workers which is why there must be a balance in the allocation of the meagre resources coming into the state.
