Gov Lalong begs workers to shelve warning strike

The Plateau government has urged the organised labour in the state to shelve its proposed warning strike scheduled to commence on Monday.

On Thursday, the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) issued a notice of a five-day sit-at-home strike to workers in the state.

The JNPSNC is complaining about irregularities in the computation of salaries and payments.

In a statement on Monday, Plateau’s head of civil service, Sunday Hyat, said the Plateau government was making efforts to settle outstanding salaries.

“The state government has remained committed to the welfare of civil servants as demonstrated in the prompt payment of salaries over the years,” the top civil servant stated. “In view of the recent shortfall in the federal allocation experienced across the country, which resulted in the recent delay of payment of salaries, the state government has been engaging labour and making efforts to settle the outstanding arrears.”

Mr Hyat added, “Government, therefore, is seeking the understanding of labour to avoid the proposed sit-at-home strike as it will worsen our economic condition and deny citizens access to basic amenities. Following discussions with the office of the Accountant General, payment of August third party deductions and continuation of payment of September Salaries will commence Monday (December 12).”

The government official reiterated the government’s commitment and urged the workers to resume work fully. 

(NAN)