Group Accuses Aregbesola Of Lying, Claims Workers Still Owed

By Oladapo Okeowo

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s claim that the state has paid all its workers and pensioners has been declared a lie by the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).

This accusation by the group is contained in a statement.

The Osun state governor had on Wednesday said this while delivering a keynote address during a programme organised by the Osun State Police Command of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

He said: “Let me make a resounding correction that despite the paucity of funds, it is only a section of workers on grade level 12 and above who receives painfully 50 percent of their gross salaries based on the agreement between the government and the labour union.

“So outside that category of workers on grade level 12 and above, no other receives half of his or her salaries and the workers in this category are just 20 percent of the state workforce.

“Outside that, officers on levels 8-10 receive 75 percent of their salaries while officers on levels 7 and below receive their full pay.

“Contrary to what the naysayers claim about us, all workers in the state have received their salaries up to June this year according to the payment scheme and agreement.”

In their reaction to the Aregbesola statement, the DSM said it is an attempt to deny workers and retirees their backlog of salary arrears.

“We ask: if the government owes no worker or pensioner, why did not the government collect the Paris Club refund, which was released basically to offset salaries and pensions? It is either the governor is being economical with the truth or trying to divert the refund to other purposes.

“If the government does not owe workers and pensioners, why is the government paying arrears of salaries and pensions, albeit of July and August 2015.

“Moreover, it is condemnable that union leaders who should be fighting for full payment of salaries, pensions and allowances, is cozying up with government to administer the fraudulent half salary and half pension policy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the reality on ground is that the government has been paying half salaries and half pensions for workers and retirees above Grade Level 7 since July 2015. This section of workers and retirees include teachers, majority of civil servants and about half of local government workers.”

The group’s statement went on to clarify that the 75 percent payment structure is a new development for those in Grades 8 to 11 with no such thing for those on Grade 12 and above.

They called on the probe of the administration which they claim has refused to pay the deducted pension bonds and deductions to the Pension Fund Administrators and which owes as much as 24 months of salaries in arrears.