Striking workers in Nasarawa State have insisted they will not resume work despite threats by the state Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, to sack workers who do not return to work by Monday, July 11.
The
labour unions in the state on Sunday, July 10, issued a statement
directing all workers to shun the Governor's threat and remain at home
until further notice.
The workers embarked on the industrial action to protest government's decision to slash their salaries by 50 per cent.
“The strike we started on July 4 is indefinite; disregard the call by the government to resume work on Monday, July 11,” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Chairman of the State’s chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abubakar Adeka, and the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Danladi Sabo-Namo, said.
“We are fighting to protect the rights of the workers and shall not relent until such rights are restored.”
Al-Makura had on July 9 threatened to replace the striking workers with fresh graduates if they failed to return to work on Monday.
The government said the decision to review the workers' salaries downwards was due to the dwindling economy occasioned by the fall in the price of crude oil, and declining allocation from the Federation Account.
The government said the decision to review the workers' salaries downwards was due to the dwindling economy occasioned by the fall in the price of crude oil, and declining allocation from the Federation Account.