Makinde, Oyo labour unions broker peace

The harmonious industrial relationship between Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde and labour unions has been restored.

The State Government Secretariat has been re-opened for business after a weeklong shutdown following the resolution.

The unions under the umbrella body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and their affiliates for the whole of last week staged a peaceful protest which led to the shutting down of all entrance and exit gates of the Secretariat.

The Unions had been at loggerheads with the government on six-point demands which border on remission of salary deductions, increase in pay of Pensioners and the approval of promotion arrears among others.

Despite entreaties from the Governor, the union had insisted on only talking to the governor in person, rejecting all forms of proxy.

The issue peaked when the protesters, joined by other members of the public, observed the Friday Jumat on the open road in front of the State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

But, in a statewide broadcast late Saturday, Governor Makinde announced short-term economic plans to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy.

He assured that the deduction demanded by the labour leaders among others will be paid by August ending.

He also ordered workers to return back to work while urging labour leaders not to disrupt or disallow any worker from gaining entrance.

On Monday morning, all the entrance gates reopened with workers and people who have businesses to do going about their activities.

When contacted, the Chairman of Oyo NLC, Comrade Kayode Martins, said a truce has been broken between the unions and the governor.

He said a meeting between the union leaders and the Governor held till on Sunday night and all grey areas were addressed.

He added that Governor Makinde is expected to address the gathering before the protest is officially called off by the labour leaders.

As of the time of filing this report, the workers are still gathering in a peaceful atmosphere.