NLC Warns of 3-Day Nationwide strike

The following Communique was issued by the Central working Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella union of Labour in Nigeria after its meeting of Friday, December 14th where it deliberated on the ongoing industrial crisis in Plateasu state, North Central, Nigeria where the state Government is currently in a running battle with Local government workers over the implimentation of the 18,000 naira minimum wage.

It will be recalled that the Local Government workers had embarked on a strike demanding the implimentation of the new wage structure.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE (CWC) OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) HELD AT LABOUR HOUR HOUSE, ABUJA ON FRIDAY 14^TH DECEMBER 2012

The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) met on Friday 14^thDecember 2012, and discussed a number of national issues, among them being the on going industrial action embarked on by the workers of Plateau State over the non-implementation of the Minimum Wageto Local Government workers and the non-payment of arrears of six months salary to the workers.

The CWC observed that workers in the Local Governments in Plateau State had temporary agreed to accept a 55% Minimum Wage with an understanding with the State Government that the new wage will be implemented in full when finances of the state improve.

The CWC notes that despite this patriotic gesture of the workers, the state government has refused to pay them an outstanding salary arrears of six months, which had led to a declaration of strike action.

The CWC further observed that government has deployed armed security men and thugs to unleash unprecedented harassment and violence on the striking workers.

After exhaustive deliberation on the six-month long industrial crisis in Plateau State, and the efforts of the leadership of Congress to settle the issue through dialogue to no avail, the CWC,  resolved as follows:

1a. That Congress shall be compelled to call all Nigerian workers to a 3-day Solidarity Strike should the Plateau State government refuse to dialogue with the

workers with a view to  paying all outstanding salaries and wages to the workers and resolve the issue of the implementation of the new minimum wage on or before Wednesday 20^th December 2012.

b.The CWC directed that all state councils across the country should organize prayer sessions against the dictatorship of the Governor of Plateau State and all those standing against the implementation of the new minimum wage to Local Government workers in Plateau State.

c. That all members of the Central Working Committee, that is, Presidents and General Secretaries of all the affiliate unions shall be in Jos, Plateau State to express their solidarity with the striking workers when the strike commences.

d.   Meanwhile, all affiliate unions and state councils are directed to commence mobilization of workers for the strike from 20^th December, 2012 and to await further directives.

2. The CWC also confirmed Comrade Chris Uyot as Deputy General Secretary of Congress as well as Acting General Secretary.

 3. Finally, the CWC received a delegation led by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, over the proposed National Celebration of the Centenary of the country, and believed that the project if implemented as conceived, will further enhance peace and unity in the country.  The CWC resolves to work with the Federal Government towards the success of the programme.