NLC to shut down Abia govt offices, gives reasons

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would shut down all state and local government institutions in Abia State indefinitely, barring any last minute change.

The strike, it was gathered, was to pressure the state government to pay salary arrears.

NLC in a statement issued yesterday by its state Chairman, Nweke Iheme and Secretary, Emma Alozie, directed all NLC affiliates in the state to begin indefinite strike over unresolved issues surrounding unpaid salaries and benefits of workers and gratuities of pensioners.

The statement, which disclosed that the decision of the NLC came at the end of the council meeting in Umuahia, said the union frowned at the flagrant refusal of Abia State Government to implement the agreement signed with the NLC leadership, adding that it was a clear show of insensitivity on the part of the government. 

The union, which accused the Abia State Government of not showing interest in peaceful and amicable resolution of the concerns of workers and pensioners, said the rights of Abia workers and pensioners had been trampled upon by the state government. 

The government at press time did not respond to the decision of the labour union.