Strike Flops In Lagos As Workers, Banks Shun NLC
While the first day of warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) achieved partial success in some states of the federation, expectations that the commercial capital of the country would be grounded failed as many commercial banks in Lagos State yesterday defied the call for withdrawal of service by Organised Labour.
Also, despite the heavy downpour throughout the day, there were beehives of activities at Mile 12 Market, Ketu Market and Oyingbo Market. Traders and buyers were seen transacting at the various markets while commercial transport operators were seen picking up passengers at various bus stops and motor parks……………………..CONTINUE READING
NLC had declared a two-day nationwide strike on September 5 and 6 over increasing hardship and suffering caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), in a circular dated September 2, directed all organs of the union to comply with the NLC strike.
Civil servants in Lagos also shunned the first day warning strike as they turned up for normal work at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The workers trooped in for work as early as 8a.m., with some arriving in staff buses.
The entrance gates leading to the secretariat as well as the state House of Assembly, had security patrol vans and Black-Maria vehicles by men of the state Rapid Response Squad (RRS) stationed to ward off any likelihood of unrest or indiscipline acts.
The secretariat recorded normal business activities and workers said they were unaware of the strike action as there was no directive to the effect. “We are on duty. We are also not part of the NLC, we are with TUC which is not part of the warning strike,” one Mr. Samuel said.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, who spoke yesterday morning on a television programme, Kakaaki, which was monitored by The Guardian, said the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, who asked for more time since the government just got into office and not to jeopardise the gains already recorded, was a joke carried too far.
