Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

Organized labor in Niger State has announced an indefinite industrial action, scheduled to begin, on Wednesday.

In a letter addressed to the Niger State government through the office of the Secretary to State Government and jointly signed by the state chairman of the NLC, Idris A. Lafene, and the state chairman of the TUC, Ibrahim Gana, the organized labor said the industrial action would last until the government resolved all the outstanding disputes between it and the organized labor.

The labor has asked the state government to reverse all political appointments as Executive Directors of Finance, Operations and Administration in agencies.

It also asked the government to reverse the appointments of chairmen, members and permanent commissioners of the Local Government Service Commission and Civil Service Commission, as well as the appointments of directors general of some agencies.

Other demands include a clear statement by the government on payment of the wage award.

The organized labor, however, warned the state government against the appointment of civil servants that are not qualified as permanent secretaries while asking the government to withdraw the appointment of a vice principal as permanent secretary to allow for career progression from within.

Organized labor also warned the state government to desist from victimizing teachers and members of the educational sector following the recent primary school’s debate in Agaie, in which the government alleged a pupil had used vulgar and violent language against the federal government.