South West labour leaders meet Obasanjo over unpaid salaries

The South West leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, requesting his intervention in the lingering crisis between the workers and governors of the six states of the region over unpaid salaries.

‎The meeting, which lasted over an hour, held behind closed doors at Mr. Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The union’s delegation led by the South West Coordinator of TUC, Olubunmi Fajobi.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Mr. Fajobi said the labour leaders decided to seek the intervention of the former president over the matter since they were convinced he was the only person that commanded greater respect of the governors involved.

He said some of issues the congress tabled before Mr. Obasanjo during the meeting included the continued non-payment of workers’ salaries running into about 13 months, unremitted contributory pensions’ deductions running to 19 months as well as the unremitted cooperative deductions from the workers’ salaries covering the same period, among others.

‎The labour leader, who doubles as the chairman of the Ogun State Chapter of the Congress, emphasised that the meeting became necessary considering that Mr. Obasanjo weathered similar storms and was in best position to intervene on the matter.

“As labour leaders, we are particularly disturbed about the issue of unpaid salaries in our states and we believe the sweat of our workers must not be allowed in vain. We know that Obasanjo has the ears of these governors,” he said.

“That is why we are seeking his assistance to intervene in the matter.”

Mr. Fajobi, however, disagreed with the some of the governors who vowed to invoke the “no work no pay” rule against the workers who have remained on strike over the crisis, saying such move would be against the rules of fair play in labour engagement.