Niger Organised Labour Extends Strike  Ultimatum Given to Govt

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Organised Labour in Niger State has extended the ultimatum given to the state government to meet its demands on the welfare of its members.

The extension of the ultimatum followed the deadline given to the government falling on public holidays.

As a result, according to Labour laws, the ultimatum will now lapse on January 11 after which a strike will be declared within 24 hours if the government did not address the issues in contention.

Rising from a meeting held at the Labour House last Wednesday, the organised labour said: “Considering the seven days public holiday declared by the Niger State Government and the Labour Act, the organised labour hereby extend the ultimatum to give room for the provisions of the Labour Act while discussions continues.”

A communique jointly signed by the state NLC Chairman, Abdulkarerm Idris Lafene, and his TUC counterpart, Ibrahim Gana, stated that “in the event that negotiations failed, the organised labour will have no other option than to embark on industrial action within 24 hours.”

The organised labour, therefore, called on the government “to use this window to address the pending issues” before thanking its members for “their unflinching support and understanding,” and also urged them “to remain calm and go about their duties in a peaceful manner as we continue to ensure the protection of their welfare.”

Though the communique did not state the demands of the organised labour, it was learnt that the payment of the N35, 000 wage award, payment of pensions and gratuities to retirees and enhanced salaries for some workers are among the demands.