By Janet John, LAFIA
The organized labour in Nasarawa State has refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government to pave way for suspension of the ongoing strike action, accusing the government of tampering with the agreement.
Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Yusuf Iya, and Mohammed Doma, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) made this known while addressing journalists shortly after the Union Congress in Lafia, on Tuesday.
Iya, displeased by the introduction of a clause in the MoU said it is not in the best interest of workers, hence Labour’s refusal to sign.
According to the NLC Chairman, the MoU was collectively written by a committee set up to bring an end to the strike, adding that it was agreed that the last tranche of August 2016 salary arrears would be paid in June.
“We also agreed that promotions would be implemented from August while the committee on minimum wage should resume discussion on the consequential adjustments for workers in level seven and above.
“But, to our surprise, the government doctored the agreement and included a clause that, whenever the federal allocation is less than N4 billion, the government would revert to old payment,”
“Meaning that any month the allocation is less than N4 billion the government would suspend the implementation of the promotion and pay workers in their old grade levels,” the NLC Chairman added.
Iya said signing the agreement with the clause would mean mortgaging the future of workers and the leadership of the union would not sucumm to that.
On his part, TUC Chairman called on workers to continue to stay at home until their demands are met by the state government.
Mohammed Doma, while expressing displeasure with the government for including what was not originally contained in the agreement written by representatives of labour and the government, said workers were very patient with the government but had to embark on the strike to fight for their rights to ensure carrier progression.
The TUC Chairman also commended workers for their support and resilience since the strike started on August 15.
