Strike: Labour leaders, Niger gov in closed-door meeting

The Niger State Government and organised labour are currently having a closed-door discussion. This is to prevent the industrial action which the labour leaders organized.

Present at the meeting are Governor Umaru Bago, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Commissioner for Justice, the labor chairman and his team, along with other senior government officials.

Daily Trust had reported how the organised labour in Niger announced an indefinite industrial action, beginning from Wednesday.

The labour has asked the state government to reverse all political appointments as Executive Directors of Finance, Operations and Administration in agencies.

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It also asked the government to reverse the appointments of chairmen, members and permanent commissioners  of Local Government Service Commission and Civil Service Commission as well as appointments of directors general of some agencies.

Other demands include “a clear statement by the government on payment of wage award.”

The organised labour, however, warned the state government against appointment of civil servants that are not qualified as permanent secretaries while asking the government to withdraw the appointment of a vice principal on secondment as permanent secretary to allow for career progression from within.

The organised labour also warned the state government to desist from victimising teachers and members of the educational sector following the recent primary school’s debate in Agaie which the government alleged a pupil to have used vulgar and violent language against the federal government.

“We wish to formally inform the government that effective 8am on Wednesday, the 21st February, 2024, Niger State workers shall commence an indefinite strike action until our demands are comprehensively met,” the memo read in part.

The strike actually begun Wednesday morning with activities at public hospitals, schools and government offices grounded.

Our correspondent who monitored the compliance in public offices including health facilities reported that patients were left stranded in hospitals while public schools and offices remained shut.