APC denies plans to cut Oyo workers’ salary

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Monday denied reports of an impending cut in workers’ salaries, describing the reports as a misrepresentation.

The party stated this in a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, adding that the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state, Comrade Waheed Olojede, must have either misconstrued the submission of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the subject matter while the latter was featuring in an interview programme by an Ibadan-based radio station last weekend, or got briefed by the fifth columnists.

APC said: “Like many other members of the public who monitored the Saturday morning interview, we were taken aback when we read again that the NLC chairman quoted Mr. Governor to have mentioned an agreement with labour to bring about a downward review of workers’ pay in view of the present economic downturn. The truth of the matter is that the governor never said that.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is on record that Senator Ajimobi, while reacting to a poser on salary payment palaver, said the government was meeting with relevant stakeholders, including the labour unions, on how to save the state from its economic problems and part of options being considered was salary review.

“The governor did submit that workers’ pay was a constitutional issue, which no government could decide without the input of relevant authorities. He hinged his position on the need to prevent a situation whereby workers would be owed arrears of salaries in future as it is being witnessed at the moment and for anyone to mislead the public over this will be most unfair.

“As a matter of fact, the APC administration will not do anything capable of undermining the efficiency of workers as we assured of continued friendly relationship between the government and its workforce, regardless of the numerous challenges. In a matter of days, the outstanding salaries and allowances owed public servants will be paid and the bones shall rise again.”