The Ondo state government has agreed that the 80 percent outstanding September 2016 salary paid to the civil servants in the state was remitted into their account in error.
Last week, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had directed the Accountant General of the state to immediately make a percentage payment of the September backlog to the workers although it was rejected by the labor leaders.
The organized labor in the state made the disclosure on Monday evening in its bulletin shortly after meeting with the representatives of the government led by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.
The leaders of the union revealed that the meeting with the deputy governor have made the workers in the state to shelve their proposed industrial action over the introduction of fractional payment by Governor Akeredolu.
They said the state government has now promised to remit the remaining balance of the 20 percent of the backlog at an agreed time which would be very convenient for the workers.
The union also disclosed that the state government has also reiterated his commitment to pay workers their salaries and pensions at the appropriate time and when due.
“Ondo State government conveyed to us that the 80% of September 2016 salary arrears was paid in error and that however, the balance of 20% would be paid as soon as possible.
“Being the first time of proposition of such idea with a plea by this government and in the expression of our support to the government, the organized labor decided to give the government the benefit of doubt.
“On the issue of fractional/percentage payment salary to the workers, the Ondo state government allayed the fears of Ondo states workers and promised categorically that such form of payment would not be implemented in Ondo state”.
The government’s commitment to pay the remaining balance is coming after the organized labor had threatened to embark on an industrial action following the fractional payment of arrears made to the workers.
“In view of all of the above, the planned actions by the organized labor waiting to be executed are hereby placed on hold until further notice.
“The organized labor leaders especially appreciate the Ondo State government for its bravery and understanding, not forgetting also the unalloyed support and solidarity of our teeming members and our sympathizers in the state” the bulletin read in part.
Earlier, SaharaReporters learned that the meeting where the agreement took place was held inside the Cocoa Conference Hall of the governor’s office in Akure and lasted for several hours.
Sources at the meeting disclosed that the labor leaders showed their disappointment at how the workers have been a subject of attack and condemnation by aides of Governor Akeredolu.
One of the sources although pleaded anonymity said Ajayi begged the aggrieved labor leaders to avoid actions that could ground the business and economic activities of the government while noting that the present administration on board was willing to offset all salaries as at when due.
On Sunday, the leaders of the union had claimed that the 80 percent made to the account of the civil servants in the workforce of the state was just a mere gift and not the full payment of the outstanding salaries.