Workers commence indefinite strike in Nasarawa State over salary cut

Workers in Nasarawa State have commenced indefinite strike over 50 per cent cut in workers’ salaries by the state government.

Comrade Abdullahi Adeka, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Danladi Sabo-Namo, his Trade Union Congress (TUC),announced this on Friday in Lafia while briefing newsmen.

According to Adeka, the indefinite strike was as a result of the failure of the state government to reverse its decision to cut workers’ salaries by over 50 per cent.

“We staged a peaceful protest to the Government House on July 4, where we made it clear that if the government did not reverse its decision to cut our salaries, we would embark on strike.

“We told the deputy governor who came and received our petition on behalf of the governor that at the close of work on Monday, government must reverse the workers’ unfriendly decision or face strike.

“Since the government remained adamant, the unions would use its only weapon, which is strike, to press home its demands until the government returns and maintains the status quo,” he said.

On his part, the TUC chairman said government, in its usual characteristics, had resorted to intimidating workers, especially permanent secretaries and directors.

He assured all categories of workers in the payroll of the government of the state to continue to remain at home until they receive further directive from the union.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all government ministries, departments and agencies were shut as a result of the strike.

NAN recalls that Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, on July 1 announced the implementation of the report of the committee set up by the government to advise it on the way out of the current economic situation.

The committee recommended 50 per cent salary cut for political office holders, public and civil servants in view of the dwindling resources.