Government workers in Delta stayed away from their offices on Tuesday following the industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
By Emma Ogbuehi
Government workers in Delta stayed away from their offices on Tuesday following the industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Reports indicate that as early as 8.00am, the Federal and State Secretariat along Okpanam Road and Maryam Babangida Way respectively were shut with the gates padlocked by union members out to enforce the strike action.
Academic activities in secondary schools in Asaba metropolis were also disrupted as students were turned back.
Although commercial banks admitted customers, their gates were locked.
Activities at the Delta State Government House were also disrupted as workers failed to turn up at their duty posts.
Various unions in the country on Tuesday, signed in on nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
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The unions included the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP).
Others are the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.
The strike comes on the heels of the physical assault NLC National President Joe Ajaero was subjected to in Imo State two weeks ago when he and other NLC members were in the South-East state for a demonstration over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights”.
Following Ajaero’s ordeal, the organised labour called for a nationwide strike beginning today.
Nothwistanding, the National Industrial Court (NIC) has restrained the Unions from embarking on the strike in the wake of the impasse with the Imo State Government.
In spite of the court order, the unions, in a statement on Monday, directed workers nationwide to withdraw their services at midnight.