Benue workers commence strike Tuesday

The Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has declared a one-week warning strike.

The industrial action is expected to commence on Tuesday, September 5, 2018 over the refusal of the state government to pay workers’ salaries for months.

In a statement issued at the end of the State Executive Council of both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, held at the NLC secretariat located along Otukpo Road, Makurdi, the workers stated that the strike would end on September 13.

The workers added that after the warning strike, its impact would be reviewed and a fresh line of action would be decided.

Few months ago, Governor Samuel Ortom, declared what he tagged as ‘state of emergency’ on salary payment.

He subsequently set up a committee to work out details of its implementation.

The committee has the Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu as chairman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Matthew Uyina, as Secretary.

Other members are Commissioners of Finance, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, their colleagues in the Ministries of Health and Information as well as Advisers on Labour, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Development Cooperation, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

However, despite the declaration of the state of emergency on salary, workers are yet to receive their wages for months.

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