Following the non-implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures, workers under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, have joined other State Houses of Assembly to embark on an indefinite strike.
The workers led by the state chairman Comrade Ojediran Ayotunde on Monday held an emergency congress at the entrance of the Assembly, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Speaking to newsmen, Ayotunde explained that the action was in strict compliance with the directive of the National secretariat.
He added that the industrial action was also due to the non-payment of a 40% peculiar allowance which the state government paid to all workers while exempting the parliamentary staff.
“ For us in Ogun State, this strike was cumulatively targeted at ensuring Financial autonomy for State Legislatures nationwide, compliance with Section 10(2), 13 & 14 of the Statutory Offices (State Emoluments) Amendment Law, 2018; and the State Assembly Service Commission Law, 2018, likewise the payment of additional 40% Peculiar Allowance to legislative staff”
“The non-compliance with the Laws has resulted in the non-payment of due salaries and allowances to the three bureaucratic staff of the Legislature. As it stands today, the Clerk of the House, his Deputy, and the Executive Secretary of the Commission are still being paid the salaries of Directors as against what is spelled out by the extant Laws.
“In the previous week, we have communicated this position of ours to the State Government in follow up to the laudable efforts of the Leadership of the House, the House of Assembly Service Commission, and respected elders of thoughts. Some months ago, the National Delegate Congress of our Union held its meeting in Abuja, and a communique was issued and served to the State with copies sent to necessary stakeholders on the non-payment of the officials’ due salaries, how long shall we continue with this illegality in Ogun State?
“it is disheartening that as much as we are affected by the adverse effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, such should be extended to members of staff in the House of Assembly and House of Assembly Service Commission. We are seriously affected by the hike in the price of petrol and market commodities.
“ But we’re optimistic and we’re hopeful the state government we have is a listening governor, a father that is performing excellently. You know the sectors that we have in the state. We are hopeful and we believe that the governor is going to do the needful because, in a few days, we believe we are going to get a positive response from him. After all, it’s matter” the Chairman concluded.
