Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has called for more robust relationship between workers and government in the interest of the people.
Akeredolu who made the call at the 2018 Workers Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi freedom arcade in Akure noted that welfare of workers and the generality of the people of the state remains his administration's priority.
The theme for this year's workers day celebration is : Labour Movement in National Development : Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.
Present at the event were Akeredolu's deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and other top government functionaries.
Akeredolu emphasised that workers in the state deserve special attention despite the harsh economic situation in the country and enjoined them to continue to rededicate themselves to the service of the people.
He noted that his commitment is not only to pay workers salaries but also paying the sum of two hundred million naira to offset outstanding gratuities owed retired workers.
On the issue of leave bonus by the government, Akeredolu noted that his government will pay as soon as the state is financially buoyant.
Akeredolu said while he has been able to offset three of the six months arrears owed workers by last administration, the present economic crunch has made the payment of the remaining three still pending.
Also speaking the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in ondo state, Bosede Daramola lauded the Akeredolu adminstration for commitment to the welfare of workers.
Daramola reiterated the resolve of the NLC to the implementation of the new minimum wage to cushion the untold hardship faced by workers.
In the same vein, the chairman of the Trade Union Congress TUC in Ondo state, Soladoye Ekundayo decried the attack on innocent Nigerians by herdsmen and implored government at all levels to find a lasting solution to the killings.
Ekundayo equally saluted the government for commitment to workers' welfare especially the release of the 2017 promotion letters to deserving workers.
Highpoint of the event was match parade by various unions and playlet by members of the Radio Television and Theatre Art Workers Union (RATTAWU).
