Labour Shuts Down Economic Activities In Plateau State

Organised labour comprising of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Plateau state embarked on solidarity strike action in sympathy with their counterparts in the local government areas demanding for implementation of the minimum wage increase.

Plateau state government in reaction to the industrial action through director of research and documentations, Chris Kwaja urged labour to reconsider the option of dialogue as government recognises organised labour as a partner in progress both in governance and development of the state.

The government takes exception to violence as evidence in the harassment of citizens which had led to vandalising some properties, particularly that of government officials stressing that the welfare of workers and that of the citizens remain its priority.

The organised labour had threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their Monday night deadline was not met by the government.

The entrance to Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat, at the state capital was filled with the striking workers preventing members from gaining entrance to the complex while labour officials were at hand to monitor and enforce total compliance of the order.

Apart from government offices that were shut down, customers could not have access to transact business as banks were also under lock and key.
Addressing members, Chairman Plateau State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, Jibrin Banchir, warned workers to desist from been violent and should be careful not to allow miscreants hijack the planned action while claiming that labour has not received any court injunction concerning the ongoing strike.

State police Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, who was recently appointed, addressed the striking workers in what can be seen as the first official engagement in plateau.

Plateau state government expressed disappointment in labour for not obeying the industrial court orders restraining labour from embarking on the strike while urging the striking workers to embrace dialogue in solving the protracted issue.