The organised labour in Niger State has begun an indefinite strike over the state government’s action to slash November salaries of workers by 30 percent.
The state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Yakubu Garba, disclosed this to NAN in Minna on Wednesday.
Garba explained that the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) resumed the suspended strike because the state government refused to heed their demands.
“The organised labour (NLC and TUC) in Niger state have resumed the suspended strike. The industrial action started at 12am today,” he said.
Recall that the organised labour is demanding that the 30 percent deferred balance of June salaries of workers be paid.
They also demanded that the November salaries of workers be paid at 100 percent and the 80 civil servants dismissed by the government be re-absorbed into service.
Garba said that negotiations between the government and organised labour were not concluded on November 26, while the government started payment of November salaries on November 27 with a pay cut.
He said that while some workers received 30 percent less of their original salaries, others got 35 percent.
The Labour Chairman said that civil servants in the state have complied with the industrial action.
He said, “I can assure you that all the civil servants in Niger state have stayed away from their offices today. The report from our monitoring team shows total compliance.”
According to Garba, by Thursday, traders and transport workers would join the strike to shut down economic activities in the state.
He noted that the non-payment of workers has slowed economic activities in the state.
“If there is a recession and you don’t pay workers their wages, then there is no way we can come out of recession,” he said.
“It is illegal to slash workers to pay without their consent. The workers’ salaries are their right and not a privilege.”
