By Matthew Denis
The Kwara State Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), has given the state government two weeks ultimatum to pay up all salaries arrears of Kwara Express workers.
The immediate past Chairman of the Union, Comrade Gabriel Afolabi gave the ultimatum during the 5th Quadrennial state delegate conference held at Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies, Ilorin on Thursday.
He said, “The activities of Harmony Holdings in Kwara Express and Kwara Investment Property Development Corporation are becoming worrisome. The holdings is interested in collecting all income generated by these organisations without any commitment towards workers’ welfare.
“We therefore appeal to the state government to intervene by mandating the management of Harmony Holdings to settle the outstanding arrears of 18,000 minimum wage amounting to N8.5 million, unremitted outstanding arrears of cooperatives amounting to N9.5 million, unremitted National Housing Fund amounting to N6 million and unremitted Contributory Pension amounting to N8.7 million.
He also decried the non promotion of deserving workers since Harmony Holdings took over affairs of the state owned transport corporation.
Afolabi threatened that if the conditions are not met by the state government and concerned authourity within two weeks, the union would embark on an indefinite industrial action.
In his remarks at the occasion, the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yakeen Agunbiade called on the state government to fulfill its promise by accessing the N4 billion loan to clear workers’ salary arrears both in the local government councils and MDAs.
He assured that the state NLC will continue to support AUPCTRE in ensuring that their demands are met by the state government.
The North Central zone AUPCTRE Chairman, Comrade Shaaba Yusuf, who supervised the election of new state executives called on them to work together and obey laid down rile of the Union.
Meanwhile, those elected were state Chairman, Engr. Michael Bamidele; Vice Chairman 1, Comrade Manzuma Ibraheem; Vice Chairman 2, Comrade Salmon Abdulganiyu; Treasure, Comrade Saka Taofeek and Finance Secretary, Comrade Babatunde Mariam.
Others were Secretary Administration, Comrade Olarongbe Amuda; Secretary Welfare, Mashood Hassan; Auditor, Comrade Shuaib Yahaya; Ex officio, Comrade Yaqoob Babatunde and the state Secretary from Kwara zone, Comrade Saliu Oluwole Suleiman.
