…Some Banks, Universities Lecturers and Judicial Workers Downed Tools in States The first day of the Nigeria Labour Congress warning strike did not record total compliance across the country. It was though generally peaceful without recorded violence. While workers complied with the NLC directives in some states like Kano, Edo, Taraba and the Federal Capital
…Some Banks, Universities Lecturers and Judicial Workers Downed Tools in States
The first day of the Nigeria Labour Congress warning strike did not record total compliance across the country. It was though generally peaceful without recorded violence. While workers complied with the NLC directives in some states like Kano, Edo, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory, workers went about their normal duties in other states like Rivers.
In Lagos state, the state Chairman of the NLC Ms Agnes Sessi said workers in the state have been advised to comply with the NLC directive noting, however, that the strike action is not a street protest. She disowned some gatherings by Nigerians on some streets of Lagos saying the directive did not include a call to protests and road shows.
However, some banks shut their doors to customers across Nigeria, in obedience to a directive from their Union- National Union of Banks, Insurance, Financial Institutions Employees Executives. But, in Lagos banks opened for business while workers were seen at the state secretariat.
Indications that the organised labour would make good its threat to proceed on the strike emerged on Monday, when the leadership of the Labour union led by Comrade Joe Ajaero boycotted a meeting convened by Mr. Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) led by Comrade Festus Osifo, however, attended the meeting and promised to give government more time to address their demand.
The Congress also threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike within 14 working days or 21 days from when the communique was issued. It also said this would continue until steps were taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced due to the removal of subsidy.
Visits to some of the NLC affiliates including banks, government ministries and parastatal / agencies on Tuesday, revealed that some of the offices were under lock. At the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, it was observed that very few workers were on ground in some of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). However, some were seen to be opened to customers such as Guaranty Trust Bank, the bank was not as busy as the usual days.
Also, at the Radio House, the gate was locked preventing staff from going inside the premises. It was also observed that some filling stations and banks in Abuja were closed in compliance with NLC directives.
In Kano state, banks were also shut while members of ASUU downed tools with students of Ado Bayero University staying in their hostels because their lecturers were absent from the classrooms.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State on Tuesday barred all entrances into the state high court premises in compliance with a two-day warning strike.
The election petitions tribunals for the National Assembly and state House of Assembly had scheduled judgements in two petitions for Tuesday but they had to adjourn till Thursday.
Overall, there was a partial compliance from workers in some parts of the country, including Lagos State. Observations by the NDR in Lagos state revealed that Banks around Abule Egba to Agege and Ogba axis in the state were opened without any disruption of activities. While some of the banks made an early attempt to hold their activities at the beginning of operational hours, it was learnt that they later engaged people in activities.
Speaking with NDR, a marketing staff member of the Wema Bank in Abule Egba branch who identified as Daniel said although their transactions did not begin at the usual time, but they were later instructed to start attending customers in the long run.
“Although, we didn’t start working early today, I believe it is because of the strike rumours, but later after noticing that there was smooth transport as well as other activities, we conducted our business as we regularly do without any problems.
Similarly, there was seamless transportation across Lagos state, as the strike did not affect road workers business. Traders were also observed to be conducting their activities without any restrictions.
However, workers of Ikeja Electricity Supplier were reportedly refused entry into their offices as their entrance was barricaded by some members of the union who were enforcing compliance with the directives of the National body of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Also, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria reportedly enforced compliance as they disrupted the business activities at the Apapa ports, as the ports were locked to ensure that no activities were carried out according to the directives of the NLC
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) recorded substantial compliance with the NLC order. In a notice to its customers, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, blamed the general power outage across its franchise area on the labour strike.
The notice reads: “We are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise due to enforcement by NLC of the 2-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union.
“We apologise for any inconvenience you may be experiencing as a result of this, as we continue our engagement with key stakeholders towards minimizing the impact of the strike on our customers.
“In the meantime, we recommend that you take necessary precautions to manage the outage effectively. Kindly unplug sensitive electronic devices and appliances from power sources pending the restoration of power.
“We will continue to provide updates on developments regarding the impact of the strike action on our operations through our official social media handles”, the utility added.
Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electric, in a statement by its Head Corporate Communications, Abdulazeez Abdullahi explained that the action by its workers had shut down its feeders.
The statement reads: “We regret to announce that the outage being experienced currently in our franchise states is due to the warning strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress and its affiliate unions.
The strike continues tomorrow and it is expected that more workers would join the action. Some financial institutions have counselled their staff on the need to be cautious before opening their doors. Some workers have been advised to dress down to work and survey their environment before throwing their doors opened.
