Workers in Plateau and Gombe states yesterday began an indefinite strike over the inability of the state governments to commence implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that offices were under lock and key as directed by their state NLC chapters, while labour leaders went round to ensure compliance.

Mr. Jibrin Bancir, Chairman of the Plateau Chapter of the NLC, told NAN that the strike became necessary because of “the nonchalant attitude” of the government to implement the minimum wage.

He said: “In spite of the agreement signed by organised labour, Federal Government and Governors’ Forum on the implementation of the approved minimum wage on or before August 31, the state government has refused to implement it.

“We submitted a proposal and met four times with the government’s negotiating committee, but nothing came out and we were left with this option of strike. If the government believes in the rule of law, I do not see the reason why it should bend the law.

Bancir said the first day of the strike was successful, noting that the workers were committed and “know their rights”, adding that other affiliates like banks, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and others would join the strike on September 5.

“We shall ensure that the strike is “total next Monday with affiliates taking part. This we feel is the only way our rights will be respected. What we are doing is just to protect our rights and ensure that such rights are not abused“ .

Bancir decried the lack of understanding between labour and the government, adding that “if the government is ready to discuss with us, we are ever ready.” He said the strike could only be suspended if the government made a definite offer and within a reasonable time frame.
Meanwhile, the directive on workers in Gombe to commence strike was contained in a statement after an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council, SEC, of NLC on Wednesday in Gombe, and signed by its chairman, Mr Ahmed Maisaka.

According to the statement, the council deliberated on the directive of the National Executive Council to proceed on an indefinite strike September 1, if an agreement was not reached on or before August 31.

The statement which expressed labour’s dismay on the inability of the state government to reach an amicable resolution on the minimum wage, stated that there was no going back on its action.

However, the labour leaders were sympathetic with the state government over the fatal accident which involved the state Deputy Governor, Mr David Albashi on Gombe-Yola road which claimed the life of his police orderly. They also called on workers to pray for the speedy recovery of the deputy governor who is still in the intensive care unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe.