ABUJA-Organised Labour, has directed all workers from all sectors of the economy, to withdraw their services ahead of the planned nation-wide warning strike, which will commence from midnight Wednesday September 26, 2018.
In Compliance with this mandate, all workers in the public and private sectors at all levels across the country, have been directed to comply and industrial unions, state councils, all workers’ organisations and civil societies have also been directed to step mobilization of their members.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress(NlC),Comrade Ayuba Wabba who made this known to press men on Wednesday, said that the action is aimed at compelling the government to reconvene the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage, in order to bring it to a logical conclusion.
The implication of the strike, is that all public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling stations are to remain shut till further notice.
The Organised Labour emphatically called on all those who mean well for Nigeria to see to the success of the action, which will remain in force until further directives are given.
Wabba, while reacting to the decision of government to adjourn the meeting of the Committee indefinitely, said the decision was against the principle of collective bargaining.
“Organised Labour considered the conduct of the government as an act of bad faith and an insult to its members, who out of uncommon sacrifice and patrotisim had hearkened to government’s appeal to delay negotiation for a new National Minimum Wage by two years” The President stressed.
While noting that the government has been taking advantage of workers’ misplaced abiding faith, Wabba announced that the warning strike is absolutely necessary and a precursor to the main strike which will be the “mother of all strikes”.
According Wabba, “This is not about salaried people. It is about everyone. It is about a chain. So stay at home till further notice as this strike is total. Any organisation public or private which forces its workers to risk coming to work during the tendency of the strike will have itself to blame.
“We know this decision may not be easy for some who have to make a living from hour to hour but no sacrifice can be too much for a better tomorrow” he remarked.
The Organised Labour is expected to meet with the government later today to arrive at a conclusion. The meeting according to the Labour organs, is just a diversionary approach which may not yield result.
