By Suzan Edeh
The drive to better the lot of the masses has been the propelling force in most of the industrial actions by organised labour, Chairman of Bauchi State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Hashim Gital, has declared.

In a chat with Vanguard, Comrade Gital faulted insinuations that the November 10 general strike called by NLC and Trade Union of Congress, TUC, to compel government to implement the N18,000 new minimum wage, was politically motivated.

He called on President Jonathan not renege on the promise and to ensure speedy passage of the Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly to avoid another round of strike by labour.

Gital justiied the strike, arguing that it was because of the interest of the nation that labour decided to suspend the strike.

He said: “If you look at this country very well, you will notice that virtually every union or organisation normally uses the weapon of strike to get the attention of the government.

“There is no other method you can use that can be as effective as  strike. I do not know why people should think that the strike had some political undertone.

“You will also notice it was the  warning strike that got the government’s attention. We also have a very stubborn government that does not listen to any other voice like that of  strike. So for now, it is the most efficient and effective method of resolving issues like this.

“Just as President Goodluck Jonathan appealed to Nigeria Labour Congress to suspend the warning strike, we are equally appealing to the government not to further delay the full implementation of the minimum wage.

“It is clearly stated in our resolutions that should the government fail to meet our expectations, the National Executive Council, NEC, will meet in the first week of December. When we meet, if nothing is done by the Federal Government, NLC will not give any notice again—it would just embark on an indefinite strike.”

“.I am personally not aware of any political motive behind it and it is a false allegation. What the Nigeria Labour Congress is doing is for the interest of every worker in Nigeria and what will improve their financial status. So why should anyone think that the strike is being used to spite the government.”