NLC’s Power Play: Plateau in Standstill as Banks and Government Facilities Locked Down

Plateau State witnessed a dramatic turn of events as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) members locked commercial banks, state, and federal government offices on Tuesday. Those arriving for work at the State Secretariat and various government offices were met with gates under the control of NLC members, who informed them of the commencement of a stay-at-home strike from midnight.

State and federal workers, anticipating a regular workday, were turned away at the gates, with the labour union asserting its commitment to the nationwide strike directive. The scene repeated at the Federal secretariat, located close to the State secretariat, and commercial banks in the state capital, Jos.

Despite some bankers pleading for permission to provide skeletal services, they affirmed their intention to fully comply with the strike by Wednesday. This industrial action was instigated by the NLC’s national executive council following their joint meeting with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja.

The decision was fueled by alleged infringements on workers’ rights, the assault on NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the government’s persistent failure to implement agreements, address salary and pension backlogs, eliminate discriminatory salary practices, and adhere to the national minimum wage.

In a significant move, electricity workers, under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), adhered to the strike directives, leading to a shutdown of the national grid around 11:20 am on Tuesday. This action, echoing the call for an indefinite strike by organized labour unions, initiated a nationwide blackout, affecting parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and its surroundings.

Despite a court order restraining the unions from the strike, the NLC and TUC proceeded with the nationwide indefinite strike on Tuesday. In response, the Presidency, represented by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, criticized the unions for flouting the court order, deeming it a disregard for the judiciary. The government expressed its concern that the economy and social activities should not be disrupted due to the personal interests of labour leaders.