Ondo Poly workers commence indefinite strike over unpaid salaries by govt

Members of staff of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State, have commenced an indefinite strike over non-payment of their salaries by their employer, the Ondo State Government.

The workers and members of the Non-Academic Staff Union and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics staged a peaceful protest on the campus of the state-owned institution.

The angry workers said that apart from being owed for six months, their employer has not implemented the national minimum wage for them.

During the peaceful protest, the staff carried placards with inscriptions such as, ‘We are hungry, pay our six months’ salaries, ‘ ‘Mr Governor pls implement our 2025 budget,’ ‘Acting Rector pls clear our 2022, 2023 and 2024 promotion arrears’, among others.

Mr. Julius Olugbenga-Aro, Chairman of the NASU, RUGIPO chapter, and Mr. Saka Olokungboy the SSANIP counterpart, urged the state governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa to respond to the demands of the workers, declaring that his members were hungry.

Olugbenga-Aro said, “This is to protest the non-payment of six months’ salary arrears and the failure of the Ondo State to implement the national minimum wage for us.”

Both labour leaders, however, acknowledged Aiyedatiwa’s developmental strides on the campus and his recent approval for the conversion of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a university. They appealed to the governor to authorize immediate payment of outstanding salaries, ensure full implementation of the institution’s 2025 budget, and commence payment of the new national minimum wage.

They also urged the state government to act swiftly in resolving the issues to avoid prolonged disruption of the school calendar.