Organized labour in Nasarawa State has reaffirmed its decision to continue the ongoing strike until the state government begins payment of the National Minimum Wage and implements consequential adjustments for workers.
The Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ismaila Okoh, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Mohammed Doma, disclosed this while leading a peaceful demonstration to the State Police Command in Lafia.
The strike, which stems from the state government’s failure to pay the new national minimum wage, took a dramatic turn after the Police Commissioner invited Comrade Ismaila Okoh for questioning.
In response to the invitation, workers gathered en masse at the A.A. Sule Trade Union Congress Secretariat, chanting solidarity songs before marching alongside the NLC Chairman to the Police Command on Lafia-Shendam Road.
Speaking on the development, NLC Chairman Comrade Ismaila Okoh said the police invitation came as a surprise, as the union’s actions were lawful and focused on securing workers’ legitimate rights. He stressed that the workers would not bow to intimidation and vowed to sustain the strike until their demands for better salaries are met.
Similarly, TUC Chairman Comrade Mohammed Doma urged the state government to act in good faith by promptly implementing the new minimum wage and its adjustments, noting that such steps were essential to ensuring industrial peace and stability.
Addressing the workers, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Shehu Nadada, stated that the invitation to the NLC Chairman was based on alleged infractions by the workers during strike enforcement activities. He cautioned that security agencies would not tolerate actions that could infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
After the meeting, the workers dispersed and continued to enforce the strike across government offices in the state.
The strike has left most government offices, including schools, hospitals, and media houses, shut. Meanwhile, residents have called on the state government to engage with labour unions to resolve the standoff in the interest of the public.
Chris Nyamtu
