May Day: Plateau workers threaten strike

Plateau State NLC has directed all its affiliate unions and workers to commence mobilisation for a strike at the expiration of its ultimatum to the state government on May 4.Jibrin Bancir, the state NLC Chairman gave the directive while briefing newsmen in Jos on Friday on the occasion of the 2015 Workers Day.Bancir said that labour had negotiated for a long time with the state government for the peaceful resolution of their disputes but without success.“It is apparent that we must take the last action so that we will not continually be subjected to slavery by the government of Dr. Jonah Jang.“Plateau workers will not be celebrating the May Day with our colleagues all over the world because of bad governance and inhuman treatment that we have been subjected to over the years by the Jang administration.”Bancir said workers had several issues that had consistently lingered over the past years “in spite of our struggles.”He listed some of the issues to include outstanding arrears of minimum wage, non-release of promotion of staff and consistent non-payment of salaries.Others are the non-implementation of the minimum wage by local governments and primary school employers, non-payment of the outstanding 2012 leave and transport grant as well as non-payment of gratuity and pension to retirees.According to him, the future of workers has been destroyed by a few who see the worker as an enemy thatshould not be allowed to survive.“The pains of the workers will not be forgotten as they would be remembered for the sacrifices and positive contributions they have made for the development of the state.“We have no doubt kept faith with our democracy over the years for the unity of our country, Nigeria, but what we have received in return as dividends of democracy is trauma and anguish that our members have been made to go through.”The chairman extended a hand of friendship to the incoming regime and advised it to immediately begin a process of reconciliation among Plateau people and critically look into the plight of workers and their families after its inauguration.