Strike: Workers defy Labour in Bauchi, comply partially in Kano

Workers in Bauchi on Tuesday defied the indefinite nationwide strike embarked by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The industrial action is sequel to the failure of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the workers due to the removal of fuel subsidy and alleged harassment of the union officials by security agents.

Correspondents of the the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the strike in Bauchi, reports that academic activities and business transaction continued unhindered in schools, hospitals and banks in the metropolis.

At Government Day Junior Secondary School, Gwallameji and Sa’adu Zungur Secondary School, Bauchi, teachers and students were seen taking lesson in classes.

Mr Abubakar Sadiq, an instructor in the school, said that they were yet to receive formal or written directives on the strike.

“We are under the state government and we are still waiting for a circular informing us to embark on the strike.

“We can’t just go on strike without receiving a circular to that effect, hence normal academic activities will continue in the schools.

“Students’ attendance is 100 per cent just like any other day,” he said.

Also, normal services continued at Yelwa Labourer Primary Healthcare Centre and health facilities in the metropolis.

However, the strike paralysed services in schools, clinics, banks and other financial institutions in Kano.

NAN reports that few workers reported to work at the state and Federal Government’s secretariats in partial compliance to the industrial action.

Students of public primary and secondary schools were sent home in compliance with strike.
The strike also paralysed the ongoing First Semester examination at the Bayero University Kano, as the examination halls shut behind desperate students.

Similarly; some of the banks were also closed with a handful of them running skeletal services.

The NLC Chairman in the state, Kabiru Inuwa, said that they were working to ensure full compliance with the strike.
“We are monitoring compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices,” he said

He said the industrial action achieved 75 per cent compliance in the state. (NAN)