Workers in Taraba showed their resolve by carrying on with their regular duties on Tuesday, in direct opposition to the indefinite nationwide strike called for by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
A correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria witnessed government offices in Jalingo operating at full capacity as civil servants dutifully reported for work.
One civil servant, Tanimu Musa, expressed his stance on the strike, deeming it counterproductive. He highlighted the commitment of both the Federal and state governments in alleviating the hardships faced by workers and the Nigerian populace.
Mr. Musa cited the efforts of the Federal Government in providing palliatives and increasing wages, while also acknowledging Taraba’s compliance with the N30,000 minimum wage payment.
Another civil servant, Joel Yakubu, mentioned that despite the call for the strike, an NLC team was actively enforcing the order. He also addressed the delay in the October salary disbursement to state workers, attributing it to the governor’s directive for the payment to align with the N30,000 minimum wage, necessitating the production of updated vouchers.
He opined that the hesitation to partake in the strike could be a tactic employed by Taraba workers to avoid prolonging the payday procedure unnecessarily.
The NLC and TUC had called for the strike in response to the assault of NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, by miscreants in Owerri on Nov. 1.
During the declaration of the strike, Mr. Ajaero highlighted that the industrial action aimed to protest the continuous violations of workers’ rights and privileges by the Imo State government, despite their efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach agreements.
However, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an interim order on Friday, restraining the labour unions from commencing the strike scheduled for Nov. 14, following an ex-parte request by the Nigerian government through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
NAN
