Another Nationwide Strike? NLC Threatens To Down Tools If This Happen

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on strike if governors in various states divert the Budget Support Funds recently released by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Reports revealed that the bailout released by President Buhari last year was not judiciously used by the state governors as many of them refused to pay workers salaries from the bailout.

As at June 30th 2016, no fewer than 27 states of the federation owe workers salaries ranging from two to seven months.

The workers, who spoke with PUNCH through their leaders in the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, threatened to embark on a strike if the recently released money was not used to pay their outstanding salaries.

In Imo state, the Chairman of the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Mr. Ambrose Onuoha, said that workers were experiencing hardship as could not afford good food, and were unable to afford health care services or buy drugs , among other responsibilities.

Onuoha confirmed that many workers had died since the salaries had stopped but refused to disclose the exact figure of the casualties.

Chairman Imo state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Austin Chilakpu, while speaking with Punch said; “Our stand now is that workers should be paid 100 per cent of their salary as at when due. The organised labour in the state is planning a showdown with the state government if it tries in any way to divert the fund, like it happened before.”

In Nasarawa state, NLC chairman, Abdullahi Adeka, said; “We are not concerned about whether the state government would execute any capital project or not. What we are asking the state government for is to pay us our salaries. We are demanding our annual increments and our promotions”

Benue state NLC Chairman, Godwin Anya, advised the state government to use the Budget Support Funds for the payment of the six months’ salaries it was owing civil servants.

Anya noted that only one month out of the six months salaries had been paid. He warned that the workers would not hesitate to protest if the balance was not paid.

He said, “Workers in the state have waited patiently for six months and would not hesitate to frown at any attempt to deny them what is due them.”

Labour leaders from Cross River, Plateau, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun Kwara also disclosed they that will not hesitate to embark on strike should their state governor refuse to pay outstanding  salary arrears from the recent bailout fund.