By Janet John, LAFIA
The organized labour comprising of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has directed workers in Nasarawa state to begin an indefinite strike due to partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage by the state government and other welfare related issues.
Comrade Yusuf Iya, The state chairman of NLC, gave the directive while addressing Newsmen shortly after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the labour movement in the state on Monday, in Lafia, the state capital.
Iya directed that the strike action commences Tuesday, June 15, 2021, as he called for total compliance.
The NLC chairman of accused the state government of playing lip service, adding that the present administration was given two years to address workers challenges, which they failed to.
“The strike was supposed to have commence 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.
He decried the stagnated state of workers in the state for over a decade, hence the need for government to consider implementing outstanding promotions.
“As for the promotion yet to be issued from 2018, we call on the government to process and issue to deserving workers immediately”, he said.
On the issue of housing, Comrade Iya said in line with the federal government housing policy, the Nasarawa state government should consider making workers in the state, house owners in order for them to have a roof over their heads after retirement.
He advised that the state government should key into the contributing pension scheme so as to relieve the government, the huge burden of pension and gratuity found in the state.
Comrade Iya who described the implications of minimum wage of workers on grade levels 1-6 recently approved by the state government as a mirage, advised the government to follow due process and ensure that the minimum wage committee are allowed to return to negotiation table.
The NLC boss in the state added that workers should not be intimidated as the struggle for better welfare has just begun and they would achieve success this time around.
“We hereby direct all public servants in the state including private sector workers who are affiliates to the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to proceed on an indefinite strike action as from tomorrow, Tuesday 15th, June 2021, until when our demands as mentioned above are met”, the chairman reiterated.
He then called on the state government to demonstrate genuine commitment by ensuring that their demands are met considering the long period it has taken and the continued assurance by the present administration.
In his remark, Comrade Mohammed Doma, Chairman of Trade Union Congress in the state, urged workers in both the public and private sectors to give the needed support to the organized labour to ensure that the strike is successful.
“I urge workers in the state to ensure that this strike is effective and we are not going back until our demands are met”, he said.
Some of the complaints made by the unions include, lack of promotion, lack of annual increment of salaries, lack of training, non payment of gratuity, lack of housing for workers, non payment of local government staff including primary school teachers, non implementation of minimum wage, non payment of the last tranche of August 2016 salary arrears and non confirmation of workers appointment by the government.
