Striking workers in Oyo State on Wednesday commenced seven days fasting and prayer to end the labour crisis with the State Government.
Mr Waheed Olojede, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo state chapter, told newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday that the fasting and prayer started on Monday, June 20.
Olojede said that the workers hoped that a divine intervention would spur government to consider their plight and meet their demands.
“We began a seven-day marathon fasting and prayer since Monday. We have come to realise that this is a critical time that we need to seek God’s intervention for the government and to sustain us in this struggle.”
He said the union was open for negotiation with the state government anytime, any day and anywhere.
He said the pro-Ajimobi rally held on Monday as misguided and an uncalled for.
“We believe that those who staged the solidarity rally might have done it in error and ignorance. Shortly after the rally, the general public condemned it.
“Many of those who attended the rally regretted their action. They claimed that they were deceived and would not have joined if they knew it was in support of sale of secondary schools in the state.
“How will a trader go and attend a rally that was organised by a state government that has failed to pay six months salaries, bearing in mind that they cannot sell without the payment of the salaries of the workers.
“Workers and labour leaders in this state remain committed, undaunted and we shall not resume without government meeting our demands’’, he said.
Olojede noted that the state government had accepted to withdraw a case that was instituted against them in court but noted that they were waiting to confirm their sincerity on Friday when the case will be coming up.
On the outstanding salaries, he said the government promised to set up a committee to look into how to solve the issue.
Olojede said they had since sent their own nominees and expecting the state government to inaugurate the committee
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Toye Arulogun, said the workers fasting and prayer was a welcome development that would bring solutions to the crisis rocking the state.
“We need God to deliver this state from economic meltdown and if the workers are praying I believe it will assist us more.
“We are sensitive to their welfare and government is looking for ways to meet their demands. Government will meet labour leaders shortly to dialogue and reach a consensus”, he said
Arulogun urged the members of the public to be patient with the state government and support them to move the state forward. (NAN)
Isaac Nobenz
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