SOME government ministries, departments and agencies in Abuja are currently shut in solidarity with the two-day nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, this newspaper observed.
Our correspondent who visited the Federal Secretariat on Tuesday morning alongside other major areas such as the popular radio house which houses some agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation observed that the areas were deserted as workers decided to stay back home.
Banks located in the areas surveyed were also under lock and key.
Our correspondent who visited one of the major commercial banks located at the Federal Secretariat was told there would be no banking operations due to the strike declared by the NLC.
This newspaper reports that Friday, the NLC in a communique released which was jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja said it decided to take the decision following the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organized labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol on the “poor masses”.
Already, the organized labour in August staged a one-day protest which grounded activities in major cities across the country.
While listing some of the other reasons why it would mobilize its members for the nationwide shutdown, the centre accused the police of laying siege at the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo state, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State government, proposed demolition by the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike among others.
Bank Workers Join
The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has joined the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the “punishing” economic situation in the country.
The union stated this in a circular dated September 2, 2023 signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed Sheikh, and addressed to “All Zonal Councils/Domestic Committee”.
According to the bank employees, the industrial action was in line with the communique issued after the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
