Shockwave: Govt workers commence indefinite strike amidst economic hardship

Niger State government workers have taken a decisive step amid challenging economic conditions by initiating an indefinite strike, citing grievances with the state administration’s failure to address their concerns. The strike directive was issued by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) following unsuccessful negotiations with the government.

On Monday, the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) instructed civil servants to commence an indefinite strike due to what they perceived as the state government’s neglect of workers’ welfare and governance issues. Among the demands put forth by organized labour are the reversal of political appointments across various agencies, including Executive Directors of Finance, Operations, and Administration. They also demanded the reversal of appointments in the Local Government Service Commission and Civil Service Commission, along with the withdrawal of appointments of directors-general in government agencies.

Emphasizing the importance of clarity regarding wage awards, the labour unions cautioned against the appointment of unqualified individuals as permanent secretaries. Furthermore, they called for the withdrawal of the appointment of a vice principal on secondment as a permanent secretary, advocating instead for career progression within the civil service.

In response to the impending strike, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, announced plans to convene a meeting with the labour unions to address the contentious issues. He reassured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to resolving the issues in the state’s best interest while maintaining a harmonious relationship with organized labour. The meeting, slated for Tuesday afternoon, aimed to avert the strike and foster dialogue between the government and the striking workers.