Ministries, courts, schools and commercial banks were shutdown on Monday in Kaduna in compliance with the nation wide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The labour unions had on Friday declared an indefinite strike over a new minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs. Business activities were paralysed as commercial banks were also closed.
The Kaduna state secretariat, the federal secretriat along Kawo road, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna Media Corporation, and the Kaduna state High Court complex were some of the government offices shutdown by the enforcement and compliance committee of the NLC and the TUC in the state.
Public schools were closed as school children were sent home.
Workers who reported to work were turned back as the gates to their offices were locked.
Speaking in an interview, Ayuba Magaji, state chairman of the NLC said, “As early as 6am on Monday the enforcement and compliance committee went round to lock the offices.
‘The compliance has been very impressive, though we had minor issues with the Chief Registrar of the Kaduna state High Court and the Managing director of Kaduna State Media Corporation who wanted to access their offices. I can say that we achieved 98 per cent compliance.”
The labour leader called on the government to address the welfare of workers who are suffering under harsh economic conditions.
“Government must come to terms with the current situation of things and improve on the welfare of workers”, he said.