Niger NLC Gives Strike Warning Signal, Describes Govt as Anti-Workers

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sent a warning strike signal to the state government, which indicated that workers could embark on strike “any moment from now.”

The NLC  claimed that it would not need to give the government any notice before embarking on strike because “we have an ultimatum on ground which has since expired.”

The congress has already started mobilisation of its affiliate members ahead of the declaration of the strike, commencing with the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The Niger State NLC’s Chairman, Mr. Idrees Lafene, said at the sidelines of the “solemn assembly,” an annual prayer forum organised by the NUT at its state’s secretariat that of the 15 demands presented to government on behalf of workers only one has been implemented, which goes to show the anti-worker posture of the government.

“Out of the lots of issues we have with the government it is only one of them that has been implemented. So, we will take a decision on them soon.”

Lafene asked workers to continue to show understanding, assuring  them that the congress would not rest until all the demands are met.

He commended the NUT for organising the prayer session saying that workers and the country need fervent prayer.

In his sermon at the event, the State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Raphael Opawoye, urged union leaders to live to their calling by protecting the interests of their members.

Opawoye said: “Union leaders should fight for the rights of their members. They must dialogue and meet with government to ameliorate the sufferings of their members. But in doing so, you must have the fear of God in your minds.”

He warned the union leaders that “if you feel you are not accountable to your members remember that you will be accountable to God.”

The Niger State Chairman of NUT, Mr. Akayago Adamu Mohammed, prayed for the peace and progress of the state and the country.