Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ondo State intensified their enforcement of the nationwide strike over the national minimum wage by chasing out workers from the state’s internal revenue office on Monday.
The unionists, who patrolled public institutions within the Alagbaka area of Akure, ensured total compliance with the strike directive by locking up all gates to the revenue offices and preventing access to the building.
The NLC members also targeted local government offices, expelling workers who had arrived as early as 8 am.
Many civil servants across government offices and secretariats adhered to the NLC’s strike directive.
Our correspondent observed that activities in major banks, schools, and courts were significantly disrupted.
In Alagbaka, a key commercial area, banks shut their gates to customers in total compliance with the strike.
Addressing journalists after enforcing the strike, the Chairman of the NLC in Ondo State, Victor Amoko, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance.
He noted that both public and private sectors were effectively shut down.
“There has been total compliance with the strike. Both public and private sectors are effectively shut down.
Schools are closed, and there is no work happening,” Amoko said.
He emphasized that the industrial action would continue until further directives from the national body were received.
He reiterated that the demand for an increased minimum wage was in the best interest of the masses and public servants.
“We have made a good start.
If you go out there, you will find that the majority of our public and private offices are closed down.
We’re also making good progress as all the schools are closed down and there is no work happening,” he added.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Clement Fatuase, expressed delight at the compliance level and clarified that the union’s discussions with the state government regarding exemptions for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were not compromises.
He explained that exemptions were granted to WAEC and INEC to ensure the ongoing examination and preparation for the forthcoming governorship poll were not disrupted.
“So, the message is, let’s fight this once and for all and win it once and for all.
Although we met with the Ondo State government yesterday (Sunday) and had extensive discussions about the strike, we granted them an exemption to ensure the completion of the WAEC and INEC officials’ work,” Fatuase said.
