Workers In Plateau To Embark On Indefinite Strike

Workers in Plateau state have given the state government an ultimatum to meet the full implementation of all their demands or brace up for an indefinite strike.

These demands come against the background of the 2015 Workers Day celebration across the country.

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The Plateau state Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) according to Punch, has directed all its affiliate unions and workers to commence mobilisation for a strike at the expiration of its ultimatum to the state government on May 4.

The directive according to the state NLC charmin, Jibrin Bancir, became necessary following the breakdown of peaceful negotiations with the state government regarding the resolution of workers disputes.

He said: “It is apparent that we must take the last action so that we will not continually be subjected to slavery by the government of Dr. Jonah Jang.

“Plateau workers will not be celebrating the May Day with our colleagues all over the world because of bad governance and inhuman treatment that we have been subjected to over the years by the Jang administration.”

Bancir lamented that the state government had consistently relegated issues relating to workers to the background over the past years “in spite of our struggles.”

He listed some of the issues to include outstanding arrears of minimum wage, non-release of promotion of staff and consistent non-payment of salaries.

Others are the non-implementation of the minimum wage by local governments and primary school employers, non-payment of the outstanding 2012 leave and transport grant as well as non-payment of gratuity and pension to retirees

According to him, the future of workers has been destroyed by a few who see the worker as an enemy that should not be allowed to survive.

“The pains of the workers will not be forgotten as they would be remembered for the sacrifices and positive contributions they have made for the development of the state.

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“We have no doubt kept faith with our democracy over the years for the unity of our country, Nigeria, but what we have received in return as dividends of democracy is trauma and anguish that our members have been made to go through.

In the same vein, workers in Borno state have also urged the state government to give priority to the demands of workers.

Mr Titus Abana, the Borno State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who made the call in Maiduguri during the Workers Day celebration urged the government to pay priority attention to the demands of workers which include the full implementation of the minimum wage for local government staff and primary school teachers.

Source: Legit.ng