Ogun Workers Threaten Strike Over Unremitted N40bn Pension

Oluwatobi OdeyinkaJuly 16, 20241 Mins read108

The organised labour unions in Ogun State have threatened industrial action over the state government’s failure to remit over N40 billion in contributory pensions deducted from workers’ salaries over the past 15 years.

The threat was issued in a letter addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and signed by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC).

The unions expressed their frustration in getting the government to act on remitting the contributory pension fund.

The letter, signed by Comrade Akeem Lasisi (TUC Chairman), Hammed Benco-Ademola (NLC Chairman), and Isa Olude (JNC Chairman), serves as a formal notice of the unions’ intention to embark on strike if their demands are not met.

The letter read in part, “We are talking of over N40billion unremitted deductions. The government altogether owed over 160 months.

“Former Gov Gbenga Daniel owed 25 months before he left office. Ex-Gov Amosun paid only nine months out of his eight-year tenure, while Gov. Abiodun has not paid a dime since he came to office in 2019”.

The unions alleged that the government has not remitted 7.5% of contributory pensions deducted monthly from workers’ salaries for over 15 years. The government also allegedly failed to pay its counterpart contribution of 7.5% of eacworker’s’s salary making a total of 15% to the PFA.

The workers express fear of anguish in retirement, even as they are experiencing hardship in service.

The letter read further” “Having thoroughly and objectively assessed the entire Contributory Pension Scheme routes from its legislation, implementation vis-a-vis its current position, one cannot but hold the conclusion that we are fully set for industrial unrest in the State Civil/Public Service”

“To the best of our knowledge, the state has maintained its unencouraging showing on the scheme with a disturbing trend that nothing has changed.

“Unti” now, the report of the much-publicised committee on it set up back in October 2022 has not been made public.”

West A”rica Weekly reported that Ogun State was recently called out over the poor state of most of its roads. According to a report by Business Day, Ogun State is the 8th wealthiest state in Nigeria, with a GDP of about N5.3 trillion.

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