The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Kaduna State Chapter has announced the suspension of its one-week warning strike. The union stated that it is suspending the strike for seven days to allow further negotiations with the State Government.
According to the Congress, the decision was reached after a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting late Monday night. And also, following discussions with government representatives.
This was disclosed by the NLC Kaduna State Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman. He stated that the union was giving the Government time to address lingering issues related to the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Suleiman said, “We resolved, through a motion, to suspend the strike for another seven days. This is to give the Government space to revisit the table.”
Recall that the strike was triggered by the government’s attempt to implement a minimum wage using a disputed template. A development that created inequalities among workers un the State.
According to Suleiman, they attempted paying a minimum wage with a different template. Thereby, exempting some workers and paying others less, which led to our strike action.”
Following the strike, activities across Kaduna State ministries and agencies were brought to a halt on Monday. This was even as the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) began a warning strike
The strike which is in four States included Kaduna. The workers are protesting government’s failure to implement the consequential adjustments agreed upon with the new minimum wage.
The strike in Kaduna State is coming despite the Kaduna State Government’s claim that it had complied with the minimum wage law. The Government had agreed it would pay a minimum gross salary of N72,000.
But as at last Monday, December 2, the organized labour maintained that the agreed adjustments had not been honored.
“The National Monitoring Committee approved the suspension, acknowledging the tangible progress made.
“The Committee gave us the go-ahead since there was a concrete arrangement at hand,” NLC Kaduna State Chapter Chairman said.
However, in a message to workers, suspending the strike, Suleiman expressed appreciation for their solidarity. He, therefore, urged them to resume work.
“We particularly thank Kaduna State workers for their support. They complied fully with the strike. And I want to assure them that their interests remain our priority,” he said.
Suleiman, therefore,, encouraged workers to return to work on Wednesday, November 29. As he assured them that the NLC would continue to monitor the situation closely.
source: The Nation
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