Niger workers to resume suspended strike action on Tuesday

By JUSTINA ASISHANA, Minna

Niger chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced it will resume its suspended indefinite strike action over the decision of the State Government to pay the November salaries of civil servants on a percentage basis.

The workers said the strike will resume on Tuesday, 1st December 2020 should the government fails to address their grievances.

This followed the numerous meetings and negotiations in the past week, which have ended in deadlock.

Labour, in a letter addressed to Governor Dani Bello through the Niger Head Service, declared the proposal by the state government to pay November 2020 salaries of LGAs and state workers on a percentage basis is unacceptable and vehemently rejected.

The letter titled: “Resumption of suspended indefinite strike action” was signed by NLC Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba and TUC Chairman, Comrade Tanimu Yunusa.

The letter reads: “We write on behalf of the State Executive Council (SEC) of Niger State Organised Labour to convey to your esteemed office the harmonized position of the affiliate unions as follows:

“That Niger State Government should refund the slashed June 2020 2020 salaries to desirable civil servants latest Tuesday, 1st December.

“That the discussion on payment of outstanding October 2020 salaries of local government workers must be conclusive on or before Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

“That the proposal by Niger State Government to pay November 2020 salaries of LGAs and state workers on a percentage basis is unacceptable and vehemently rejected.

“That failure of the government to address issues 1, 2 and 3 above, the Organized Labour will be left with no other option than to resume the earlier suspended indefinite strike action effective midnight of

Tuesday, December 1, 2020.”

The Organised Labour further expressed dismay over the government’s refusal to effect the refunds of the 30 per cent balance to affected civil servants five months after and its willingness to pay the workers November salaries on a percentage basis. (The Nation)