NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The two-week-old industrial action embarked upon by workers in Nasarawa State has been suspended. Called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, the strike was called off on Monday after a meeting with the Acting governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe at the Government House, Lafia.
Workers in the State civil service will earn N70,500 as minimum wage. This, according to Dr. Akabe, follows the enactment of a new national minimum wage law which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The negotiation at the state level had stalled, leading to a strike action by the workers. Akabe said it became pertinent to pay the wage because the State is law-abiding. “As a law-abiding governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule agreed to a minimum wage of N70,500, which is what we are here to sign today,” the deputy governor who also chaired the negotiation meetings, said.
He expressed optimism that with an agreement reached, assured the members of the organised labour can now go back to work. “Strike action is not illegal. It is allowed within the norms of labour activities. It is like a child trying to protest to the father and needs more attention. As difficult as it was to accept and to understand the strike action, we are happy that with all the ongoing negotiations, we have agreed so that at least the organised labour can withdraw the strike and normalcy will resume immediately.”
Dr Akabe assured that none of the striking workers will be victimized on account of the strike. “Be rest assured, and I will reiterate that on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, no member of the labour union will be victimized as a result of the strike action. Nasarawa State belongs to all of us and together we shall salvage Nasarawa State,” he pledged, noting that the government is aware of the hardship in the country.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Service of Nasarawa State, Abigail Waya expressed gratitude to the governor on behalf of the government workers, for being concerned about the welfare of workers, despite the economic situation “I want to also recognise labour for being understanding and willing to work closely with the government and being ready to work closely with the government on the Nasarawa Project.
The Chairman of the NLC in Nasarawa State, Ismaila Ayuba Okoh thanked the government, assuring that members of his organisation will live above aboard. “Today, the organized labour and the workers of Nasarawa State are overwhelmed with the pronouncement, affirmation and confirmation of the governor of Nasarawa State to the plight and welfare of workers in the State.”
Based on the agreement reached, the labour union suspended the strike.
Pix: labour leaders at the meeting