By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah representing Kebbi South senatorial zone has called for cooperation and understanding in the wake of the suspended Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike in Kebbi State.

Na’Allah while commending the maturity so far exhibited by the leadership of the NLC in the state, in a statement on Thursday, urged them to do more by engaging the state in a meaningful dialogue and negotiation in order to amicably find a solution to the various demands presented to the state by the NLC.

“Kebbi is not insulated from the various challenges facing Nigeria at the moment and the strike invoked upon by NLC will leave a huge scar in our efforts to reposition the state to face our present challenges.

“The various sacrifice given by the NLC cannot be taken for granted by all of us who have been vested with the responsibility of offering leadership to our dear state,” he added.

The state NLC has directed its members to suspend the planned indefinite strike over the unpaid leave grant and adjustment on the new minimum wage, among other demands.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), began the strike Tuesday, midnight, after the ultimatum given to the state government lapsed.

The state Chairman of NLC, Halidu Alhassan, confirmed the development to NAN.

“We also suspended the strike because of the payment of gratuities. Secondly, we received assurance on the payment of leave grants.

“On Wednesday, we also received a letter from the State Head of Service for a meeting on the consequential adjustment, with a promise that government will pay annual increment and others.

“The government has met our demands on approval of the payment of gratuities and leave grants as well as the annual increment which will be done by the end of January month,” Alhassan said.

The chairman urged the state workers to be at their respective working places as from Thursday.

Other demands by NLC and TUC, are accrued yearly promotions and increment and resumption of the consequential committee on new national minimum wage.

This is in addition to demands for payment of leave grants to civil servants on grade level 07 to 16 in 2019, payment of leave grants of the year 2020, remittance of teachers’ pension contributions to Pension Funds Administrators, PFA and payment of gratuity to pensioners from 2017 to October 2018 as well as payment of new retirees from November 2018 to 2019.

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