The nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, (TUC), on Monday, paralysed office and commercial activities in virtually all public institutions and economic life in Ekiti State.
Our correspondent who monitored the strike in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital and other major towns, reports that the secretariat and other public offices, including courts and public schools, were totally shunned by workers.
However, it was observed that a handful of workers that reported for work in isolated places, did so on special arrangement, especially at the State House of Assembly where the day coincided with the lawmakers’ celebration of one year in office.
Also, few banks that opened for business were immediately bombarded, and picketted by the irate labour enforcers.
A visit by DAILY POST to the mini state secretariat, located along the Government House Fajuyi in Ado Ekiti, confirmed that the offices were completely shut.
In most of the places visited, only a handful of political appointees were seen, doing skeletal works in their offices.
Our correspondent further reports that a statement, issued in the early hours of the day, and signed by Chairman of NLC, compounded matters, as it warned that any affiliate union which failed to comply with the directive would be treated as a saboteur.
Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Ekiti, Olatunde Kolapo, directed leadership of all affiliate unions in the state to ensure full compliance with the strike, as directed by the national body.
He said the strike had become the last resort, after labour unions had displayed uncommon understanding over the need to improve on workers’ welfare, especially as it had to do with a new minimum wage.
Minimum Wage strike paralyzes govt, business activities in Ekiti