The ongoing two-day warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has seen widespread compliance in several Middle Belt states, including Taraba, Bauchi, and Kaduna. Businesses, government offices, and even financial institutions have been affected by the strike.
In Taraba, the State Chairman of NLC, Peter Jediel, expressed the necessity of the strike to ensure workers’ compliance. He emphasized that the N2 billion allocated by the Federal Government to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory was insufficient to address the nation’s economic challenges.
Bauchi also experienced the strike’s impact, with banks and government offices locked. Various institutions, including the Abubakar Umar State Secretariat and the Federal Secretariat, were affected. The State Council of NLC, chaired by Ibrahim Maikudi, expressed satisfaction with the strike’s first day and ensured that establishments adhered to the strike.
In Kaduna, the NLC Chapter Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, stated that the nationwide strike aimed to push for wage increases. He highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian workers, emphasizing that their salaries no longer meet their basic needs. Workers in Kaduna were locked out of their offices by the labor union, sending a clear message to the Federal Government about the workers’ plight.
Suleiman explained that the warning strike served as a message to the government, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the high cost of living and the inadequate income of workers. National NLC leaders had already given the Federal Government a 21-working-day ultimatum to address these issues, making it clear that immediate action is needed.
