By Janet John, LAFIA
The Management of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly has called on all its staff to resume work immediately, despite the strike action declared by the state body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Recall that organized labour comprising of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, began an indefinite strike in Nasarawa state due to partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage by the state government and other welfare related issues.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, in response to the strike action, gave a no-work-no-pay directive, as he directed permanent secretaries at the various ministries, departments and agencies, to open attendance registers for workers.
However, the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in the state, have refused to adhere to the state NLC’s directive.
The Clerk of the House, Mr Ego Maikeffi Abashe made their stand known while briefing newsmen in his office in Lafia, Wednesday.
According to him, the state assembly staff just resumed from over two months strike embarked upon by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) over financial autonomy, hence they need not to join the NLC strike in the state.
“We just resumed from two months strike over Financial Autonomy and I don’t think it is healthy for the workers of the Assembly to join NLC strike in the state.
“The question I ask my self is that, are we going to be part of the beneficiaries of the demands of NLC in the state? if at last their demands are met, we have our peculiar issues, ” the Clerk said.
“Joining their strike at this moment is not wise after spending over two months at home while others are on”
” I have directed all my Directors to inform their staff to come back to work with immediate effect, ” he added.
When contacted, the National Treasurer of PASAN in the State Assembly, Comrade Yusuf Umar Kasim and the State PASAN Chairman, Comrade Dauda Nuhu both called on the NLC and the State Government to return to negotiation table in the best interest of the state.
“We in the State Assembly as a Union under PASAN are affiliate body to State NLC and we are in solidarity but we this development, what I want to advise is that for the best interest of the state, let the NLC and Government return to negotiation table and resolve the matter amicably”.
“We are hopeful that in the next few days the issues will be resolve between government and NLC” they added.
