As the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) initiates a two-day warning strike, observance has been observed in certain states.
In Ondo State, the typically bustling Government House and Secretariat, usually vibrant in the morning, appeared quiet today. There were no signs of activity, as Top Society noted this morning. Even the buses that usually transport workers to their workplaces were conspicuously absent, indicating a lack of movement.
In Lagos, a gathering of people formed outside the Apapa port as its employees were prevented from entering.
Furthermore, the Mile 2 road encountered a gridlock as vehicles declined to transport passengers, resulting in disruptions at several offices in the Apapa vicinity.
Although, the strike action is to include all civil servants, workers in the Lagos State Branch have pulled out of the strike.
Additionally, the Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has participated in the nationwide warning strike, leading to the closure of government offices and other facilities in the state.
As early as 5:00 am on Tuesday morning, members of the labor union were present to enforce the strike.
Ado Riruwai, the State Vice Chairman of the union, who also serves as the Chairman, confirmed the shutdown of all government offices in the state. He added that power sector facilities and banks were also affected.
Furthermore, he mentioned their intention to proceed to the airport to ensure that no flights would take off from there.
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However, in Oyo State, the situation was different, as some State Government employees were observed reporting for work on Tuesday.
All the entrance gates leading to the Secretariat were opened, and workers began arriving as early as 6:30 am.
The state’s mass transit buses, designated to transport workers, also arrived at the Secretariat, with the last one arriving a few minutes before eight o’clock.
Notably, these buses were not at full capacity, suggesting that some workers may have chosen not to attend work.
The Secretariat appeared relatively empty, with only a few individuals seen arriving and heading to their respective workstations.
Although, some workers of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ring Road, Ibadan were left stranded outside the office, as the gates were shut and workers denied access. Top Society gathered that after waiting to see if the situation would change, workers have started to leave for their homes
On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress opted not to attend the meeting organized by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, aimed at preventing the two-day warning strike initiated by organized labor, which commences today.
Simultaneously, affiliate unions of the NLC, such as the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, among others, issued a joint circular instructing all stakeholders in the aviation sector to adhere to the NLC’s directive and participate in the strike.
The National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) had previously stated its intention for its members to participate in the two-day strike action organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
A banker employed in Ondo State disclosed to Top Society that they are at work but are refraining from serving customers.
However, Top Society observered that normal operations are ongoing in some banks in Lagos State, as some of the workers contacted seemed oblivious of the strike action.
NLC recently declared its intention to initiate a nationwide strike in protest against the increased petrol pump price, electricity tariff, and various other issues. The congress accused the federal government of neglecting ongoing negotiations and failing to implement resolutions from previous meetings.
The labor strike is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, September 5th, through Wednesday, September 6th, 2023.