PUBLIC sector workers in Nasarawa State under the umbrella organisations of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday announced the suspension of a state-wide industrial action began three weeks ago over the partial implementation of the minimum wage and non-release of promotion of workers for over 12 years.
The workers began the strike on June 15, 2021.
Announcing the suspension at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital, Comrade Yusuf Sarki Iya, Chairperson of the Nasarawa State Council of the NLC, said the decision was a follow-up to an agreement with the state government to work out modalities for the implementation of promotion and minimum wage.
“The strike action is hereby, suspended and we call on all workers to go back to work with effect from today, Monday, June 5, 2021,” Comrade Iya said.
Efforts to reach Comrade Iya to find out the terms of the new agreement reached with the state government failed. National Record, however gathered from a reliable source that the leadership of organised labour met in a meeting with the state governor on Sunday, July 4, 2021 where both parties agreed to expunge the contentious clause inserted by the state government to stop payment of the allowances and the new minimum wage in the event of a drop in federal allocation to the state.
Parties also agreed that implementation of promotions and the new minimum wage are only going to start from next month, August.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State was said to be appreciative of the decision and thanked labour leaders for their understanding and maturity throughout the strike period. The governor also thanked the royal fathers for their role, saying that his administration means well for the people of the state.
