The Nasarawa State chapter of Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions and the civil society organizations to join the indefinite strike in Nasarawa State scheduled to commence at midnight today, June 15, 2021.
- The lingering industrial dispute between the Nasarawa state government and members of the organized labor appears to have escalated.
- Yusuf Iya, the Nasarawa state chairman of the NLC, disclosed why affiliate unions and the civil society organizations in the state have decided to go on strike.
- The labor union faulted the announcement by the state government that it had commenced the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage to only workers from levels 1 to 6.
The strike was declared yesterday in Lafia after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the labor movement.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Chairman, Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) Comrade Yusuf Iya said the action became imperative due to the failure of the government to meet their demands after two ultimatums were served. According to the chairman, in his words he said "We have given the present administration more than two years grace to address our challenges, but the government has been paying lip service to the issue."
The NLC Chairman listed some of the demands to include partial implementation of minimum wage without recourse to due process of collective bargaining, lack of implementation of promotions since 2008.
Others are lack of annual increments, lack of training, lack of confirmation of appointments of casual workers some of whom have worked for more than 10 years, among others.
Comrade Iya said some of the problems lingered for too long, but the government has failed to address them.
“We have given the present administration more than two years grace to address our challenges, but the government has been paying lip service to our demands.
“The strike was supposed to have commenced since Monday, June 7, but was delayed due to intervention by the traditional rulers.
“Even with the intervention, the government was not serious in meeting our demands. Therefore, we have no option than to speak the language they understand better,” the NLC Chairman added.
The NLC boss added that workers should not be intimidated as the struggle for better welfare has just begun and they would achieve success this time around.
Corroborating Iya’s assertion, Mohammed Doma, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) said it is unfortunate that the government could not respect the traditional rulers despite their intervention by doing the needful to meet their demands.
He explained that Nasarawa State workers have shown the maximum understanding with the present administration and even the previous ones.
The TUC boss in the state said workers should remain in their houses from today until further notice from the organized labor officials.
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