Kaduna Shutdown: NLC Alerts Public Over Alleged Plans To Disrupt Peaceful Protest

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA – The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Kaduna state council has alerted the General public over the alleged plans by the Kaduna state government to use thugs to disrupt and discredit their planned peaceful protest as part of activities of the 5 days warning strike.

The Congress is expected to embark on the warning Strike from Monday to protest the disengagement of workers in the state and among others things call for the reinstatement of the sacked workers

In a statement signed by the Chairperson, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman on Sunday and made available to Newsmen, the council further regretted how they were misled by the Kaduna state government on the #30,000 minimum wage among other issues in the state,saying

” Earlier, we were misled to the commended Kaduna State Government for being the first State to implement thirty thousand Naira (N30, 000) minimum wage to both Civil Servants and the retirees. But however, we noted with dismay that the government reverted to old minimum wage of Eighteen thousand Naira (N18, 000) in the month of April, 2021 Salary in the Local government council, about twenty thousand (20, 000) State civil servants received half Salary which is even less than the former Eighteen thousand Naira (N18, 000) minimum wage.

” Health workers were denied almost all their allowances such as hazard, call duty, shifting, rural posting etc.

Adding that ” It’s disheartening to say that Kaduna State Government on the basis of their claim that it had paid up to 14 Billion Naira as arrears of death benefit and gratuity from 2017 but the fact is that the same government disengaged over thirty five thousand (35, 000) civil servants in 2017 and up to date over 80 percent have not received their retirement benefits.

” It’s sad for Kaduna State Government to claim its commitment to training of workers while those that are qualified for promotion remain stagnant for years.

NLC further said ” On claims by the government supporting civil servants to pay for houses through mortgages on a single digits interest, this claim is false. The reality of this, was that this mortgages was gotten by the joint effort of NLC and TUC.

” The State Government in its Ignorance failed to realize the obvious fact that payments of salaries have multiplying effects on the social- welfare and economy. In other words, when salaries are paid it reflect down the line.

” The unfortunate downsizing of work force in Kaduna State was not done in accordance with the statutory Labour law, with keen examination of it’s activities from 2017 till date, over fifty thousand workers were affected.

” It’s in the public domain that over Twenty One thousand Teachers were sacked, five (5) thousand Local Government workers were equally disengaged in 2017, while another Twelve (12) thousand State civil servants were also unfairly disengaged and the recent sacking of over seven thousand workers of local government in the month of April, 2021 these lay credence to the figure given by the NLC.

According to Labour ” The claim by the State Government to promote the right of the Children of the poor to decent education, is contradictory to the recent increase in tuition fees in the State owned institutions to the tune of more than Three Hundred percent (300%) increase.

” The warrant of arrest on the National President of NLC Comrade Ayuba Waba as claimed by Kaduna State Government is an unwarranted intimidation on Labour movement. This is considered as a violation of human right act. The National President’s involvement in this action is intended to protect the interest of Kaduna State workers.

” The claim by Kaduna State Government that NLC recruited hoodlums to cause mayhem during the strike is untrue because it is not in the character of Labour to indulge in such uncivilized manner as against the nature of politicians.”

NLC maintained that ” All the affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress are fully committed toparticipate in the strike action without compulsion.

” We calling the attention of general public to the planned mobilization of thugs by the State Government to discredit our peaceful protest of tomorrow. Hence, we advocate that the people of Kaduna State should be vigilant and stand against this plan.

” On this note, we impore the general public to remain calm and peaceful throughout the 5 days warning strike period which we are assuring the Kaduna State workers and the general public of our commitment to maintain peaceful strike action for the interest of workers in the State and the general public.” The statement added