From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The organised labour in Nasarawa State says it would soon embark on a mass protest across the streets of Lafia, the state capital to press home their demands.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yusuf Iya, disclosed this while briefing journalists after their congress held on Tuesday to update members on the ongoing strike.
Comrade Yusuf Iya said workers were not intimidated by the “no work, no pay” stance of state government, saying they were seriously mobilising to protest in the streets to tell the whole world what is going on in the state.
Comrade Iya said the officials of the union would not sign any agreement with the government until the government expunges the doctored clause that was included.
“Our resolutions are that so long as the government does not expunge that clause which we described as satanic, we are not going back on the industrial action.
“The contentious clause I quote, “in the event that the allocation from the federation account decreases or reduces, government shall not hesitate to go back to the old salary without the promotion being implemented.
“And for the no work, no pay, the law of payment of wages says that anybody who works for 15 days is entitled to his wages,” said.
On his part, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Mohammed Doma accused the state government of not being sincere and ready to implement the promotion.
“The controversial clause is tied to a certain figure of 4.5 billion and 4 billion which is not realistic knowing fully well that our subvention is not up to 4 billion.
“Government met last Friday and in their communique they said that they are ready to expunge that clause. Why is it that until now, they refused to expunge the clause,” he said.