NLC suspends nationwide strike
…hopes on fruitful dialogue with FG
…JUSUN directs members nationwide to resume work
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the nationwide warning strike with effect from September 30, 2018. This was announced on Sunday by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a press conference held in Abuja.
Recall that four days ago, organised labour embarked on a warning strike from Thursday September 26, 2018, after a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting and conclude the work of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee.
Wabba noted that the suspension was necessitated by a firm and formal invitation to a reconvened meeting of the tripartite committee by the government scheduled for 4th and 5th of October, 2018.
“We demand that this shall be the final sessions of the committee and that a final report will be submitted to Mr. President immediately.
“In order to avail the committee the necessary conducive environment to hold this crucial meeting and conclude its work, organised labour has, after obtaining the mandate of their necessary organs, decided to suspend the strike action with effect from today, Sunday September 30, 2018”, Wabba said.
He, however, commended the workers and unions for their commitment and determination during the striking period, and urged all the unions and state councils to maintain a high level of mobilisation and readiness until the struggle for a reasonable minimum wage is achieved.
Meanwhile, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed all its members across Nigeria to resume work on Tuesday, October 2, following the suspension of strike organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC).
President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, gave the directive in Abuja shortly after the NLC announced on Sunday that it has suspended the ongoing strike with immediate effect.
Comrade Marwan thanked JUSUN members for complying with the directive during the industrial action to persuade the Federal Government to reconvene the tripartite committee for the review of the national minimum wage to conclude their assignment.
The Daily Times recalls that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, were on Thursday, locked out of their offices by officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), in compliance with the indefinite strike that was declared by the NLC.
Also locked out on Thursday by JUSUN officials were Chief Judges of both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court as well as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges, lawyers and litigants were equally denied entry into any court within the FCT.
Aside the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, other places locked down by the protesting workers were the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Industrial Court, the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the National Human Rights Commission.
Meanwhile, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on Sunday, said that the organised labour has gotten firm commitment from the Federal Government that the Tripartite Committee of the Minimum Wage Committee will reconvene on October 4.
