THE entire workforce of Niger State at both state and local government levels on Wednesday embarked on an indefinite strike in protest over the percentage payment of February 2022 salaries to workers of Rafi LGA of the state.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chairperson of the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Yakubu Garba, entitled: “Commencement of Indefinite Strike Action By State and LGA Workers in Niger State.”
The statement obtained by National Record on Thursday reads:
“It has come to the notice of organised labour that 70% of February 2022 salary was paid to workers of Rafi LGA yesterday, March 15, 2022. The percentage payment was neither consented to by civil servants in Rafi LGA nor the representative of the union.
“2. The act negates the progress made in the ongoing negotiation between the Organised Labour and Representatives of Niger State Government headed by the Deputy Governor.
“3. Consequent on the above, THE ORGANISED LABOUR HEREBY NOTIFY CIVIL SERVANTS AT THE STATE AND 25 LGAs THAT THE ONGOING FOURTEEN [14] DAYS WARNING STRIKE IS TRANSMUTED TO INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY 16TH MARCH, 2022.
“The strike will remain in force until salaries of workers in 25 LGAs are paid in 100% Gross component.”
It would be recalled that primary teachers in the state have been on strike since the beginning of the year over fractional payment of salaries.
The state’s local government workers joined on a warning strike from Thursday, 3rd March, 2022 while workers at the state level joined the warning strike from Monday, 7th March 2022.
These strikes became indefinite from Wednesday, 16th March with the workers vowing to continue until their demands are met.
