Strike paralyses Kogi as workers demand HOS’s resignation

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7 years ago

GOVERNMENTAL and other activities were paralysed in Kogi State on Thursday as workers complied with the directive of the organised labour to embark on strike action over minimum wage across the country.

Public schools, hospitals, government offices and banks were shut as the industrial action commenced.

Although some banks in the State capital opened in the morning to offer skeletal services, they were however shut before noon to comply with the strike directives.

But the organised Labour in the State has called for the immediate resignation of the State Head Of Service (HOS), Mrs Deborah Ogunmola, over her alleged anti-labour posture on the issue of the issues of welfare of civil servants.

A statement signed by the secretaries of Public Service Joint Negotiating Council Alhaji Isah Abubakar, Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Faniyi Olakunle and Trade Union Congress, Comrade Kolawole James, accused the HOS of threatening to apply ‘no work no pay’ rule if the workers comply with the directive on strike.

The organised labour in the State alleged that the HOS should have left the office, having retired from service.

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The statement maintained that by the circular, reference number HS/KGS/CLR/3/V/587 dated 18th September 2017, signed by Mrs Ogunmola herself has since abolished contract appointment in Kogi State civil service.

The statement said, “The continued stay of Mrs Ogunmola in office as against this circular duly signed by her, is against the body and spirit of the civil service reform embarked upon by this administration.”

The labour unions view her purported radio announcement asking workers to ignore, national strike duly called by the national body of the unions as an affront on the rights of workers.

It, therefore, called on the national council on the establishment and the office of the Head Of Service of the federation to take special notice of her continued stay in office as HOS after retirement, as against the aforementioned circular.

The organised labour, therefore, urged workers of Kogi State in both public and private sector to disregard the purported radio announcement threatening them with ‘no work no pay’ rule and continue to stay at home till further directives from the organised labour.