STRIKE UPDATE

The strike which started on Monday morning , June 3rd 2024, by the Organized Labour affected both public and private organizations across Nigeria.

Radio Nigeria Correspondents who monitored compliance around the country reports that activities were grounded as officials of NLC, TUC and other sister Unions went picketing to ensure effectiveness.

Kano

In the early hours of yesterday , public schools and financial institutions in Kano Complied with the NLC,TUC directive to emback on Strike as planned.

Correspondent Abdullahi Jallaludeen in Kano reports that public schools and Banks were under lock.

A proprietress who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the school did not join the strike because the school stands to gain nothing.

” According to the proprietress, “we are not joining the strike because we are private and they are not going to give us when they get the minimum wage. It is not as if they will share with us “.

 ” Bring the children to school. If they now start disturbing us, then we will know what to do,” the proprietress said.

There was total compliance at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA as domestic flights were not allowed to move except those going on pilgrimage to Holy land.

ABUJA

In Abuja, members of the organized Labour shut the main gate of the Federal Secretariat complex where most Departments, Ministries and Agencies of Government are domiciled.

Addressing newsmen at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, Chairman of Nigeria Civil Service Union, office of the Head of Service Chapter, Comrade Pius Onogu said, ” the entrance to federal secretariat would remain close until negotiation resumes “.

Comrade Onogu called on the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to give a decent wage that would cushion the current economic hardship.

Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Public Service and Allied Workers, Comrade Peter Gideon said, ” Nigerian workers are suffering due to inflation and high cost of living, as many can no longer cope with the hardship “.

Banks and business activities around the Federal Secretariat were also affected by the strike.

Adeniyi Bakare, reports that workers who were turned back called on the Organized Labour and Government to resolve the new minimum wage issue without Further delay.

KWARA

Workers in Kwara State joined their counterparts across the country to observe the sit-at-home strike to press home their demand on increase in salary.

When Radio Nigeria

went round Ilorin metropolis and environs, government offices, Schools and Courts among others  were under lock.

Speaking with Newsmen shortly after going round to inspect the level of compliance, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state, Comrade Murtala Olayinka expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance.

He said ” the situation on ground and positive response of workers to the directives shows that the people are tired “.

” The union adopt the sit-at-home strategy on the Strike to prevent possible hijack of the protest “. Olayinka said

He urged government to urgently do the needful to save workers from suffering.

In his remarks, the Chairman Trade Union Congress,TUC in Kwara, Comrade Abdulrahman Onikijipa said the two unions will join hands to ensure success of the Strike.

” Government at all levels should have a rethink and save workers from avoidable death.

Ali Rabiu

Bayelsa

 Alambo Datonye Fred

And in Bayelsa, workers stayed away from offices in total compliance with the indefinite strike.

The NLC and TUC are locked in dispute with the Federal Government over a new minimum wage and electricity tariffs on consumers

Socio economic activities in Yenagoa and other parts of the State were paralyzed as a result of the action by organised Labour.

The Bayelsa State Secretariat complex in Yenagoa, the main entrance and several offices were under lock and key.

Officials of the joint Labour Unions led by the leadership from the NLC and TUC as well as affiliate Unions were seen at the State Secretariat and other institutions including banks to enforce compliance.

Chairman of the NLC in the State, Mr. Simon Barnabas said, ”  the strike became necessary  to ensure that workers in the country are given a living wage by government “.

His counterpart from the TUC, Mr. Laye Julius insisted that government policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy and electricity tariffs without increment in wages were suffocating workers in the country.

For the State Chairman of the Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU, Mr. David Emiebor, ”  there was no going back on the strike action until workers are given a living wage “.

Checks across financial institutions such as banks in the Bayelsa State capital indicated that many customers who went there for transactions were stranded as they could not get access into the halls.

There was an unusual light traffic across major roads as the crippling effects of the strike are felt in the State.

DELTA/STRIKE

Also in Asaba, Delta State, Workers there complied with the directive.

State and federal government Secretariat  were closed down by the compliance and enforcement team led by the State TUC Chairman, Comrade Martins Bolum.

Commercial banks hurriedly shut their gates amidst crowds of customers on sighting the labour compliance team.

At the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Oghojafor was forced by labour leaders to go home in compliance with the strike, and consequently, academic activities in the university were paralyzed as many students returned to their hostels.

There was partial compliance with the strike at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba and Asaba Specialist Hospital despite attempts by the labour compliance and enforcement team to shut down the facilities.

Addressing workers and leaders of the affiliate unions at the Labour House, Asaba, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofoburuku said, ” there was ninety five per cent level of compliance with the strike “.

” The strike would continue until the federal government meets the national minimum wage demand of labour “. He vowed

He commended workers for their total compliance with the strike.

Sam Erhunmwunsee

ZAMFARA

Zamfara State was not different as Labour leaders enforced compliance as directed by the Union leaders.

NLC Chairperson and TUC Chairman, Comrade Sani Halliru and Sa’idu Mudi led other labour leaders in the state to Federal and state secretariat as well as other agencies and Banks to ensure total compliance.

Radio Nigeria in Gusau observed that all places of work were under lock and key, and other places that were operating skeletal services were forced to vacate their offices.

At an Access Bank Branch in Gusau there was tension when the Bank Manager directed securities not to allow NLC/TUC leaders to enter the Bank premises which prompted the striking leaders to chained the bank gates, signing solidarity songs, the Manager later pleaded with the leaders.

Schools were shut as pupils and students were told to go home while some Hospitals were operating skeleton services.

In an interview with a cross section of Nigerians, in Gusau, Nasiru Yahaya, Usman Sanusi and Hajia Fadima Ahmad expressed their solidarity to labour unions, while some  called on both parties consider the flight of common man, others urged layed emphasis on National interest.

However, Nura Sani a motorcyclist and Sammani Hassan a Student have condemned the strike action, saying poor person’s are at the receiving end because when two elephants fight, the grass suffer.

Abdulrazak Kaura

LAGOS

Lagos State had it’s fair share of the strike. Activities were paralyzed as passengers at the airport could not gain access, public school students were told to go home and most shops were under lock and key.