Organised Labour on Thursday commenced strike to compel Bayelsa Government to clear the backlog of salary owed the workers in the state.

Labour directed all workers to remain at home as the 21 days ultimatum issued to the state government to pay all outstanding salaries and allowances has elapsed.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a joint meeting on Thursday at the Council Secretariat resolved that, they may no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the state.

The union said the directive became imperative as government has refused to yield to their demands by relieving workers of the huge economic pains they were going through.

“Following an exhaustive deliberations involving the Chairman of the NLC, Mr John Ndiomu, and the TUC Chairman, Mr Tari Dounana, we resolve to commence the strike.

“The two labour unions in Bayelsa state have resolved to join the ongoing nationwide strike arising from the hike in the price of fuel and electricity.

“Council-in-session has also resolved that due to non-payment of salaries from January till date, workers are directed to proceed immediately on an in definite strike taking effect from 19th of May 2016.

“Workers are by this development advised to stay off their places of work and remain at home as long as the strike may last.

“Once the strike commences, only the Joint Councils of NLC and TUC could call it off,” the resolutions read in part.

However, the state secretariat, banks and shops remained open while some civil servants said that the labour leaders were yet to mobilise workers to join the strike.

Mr James Ebi, a Civil Servant said that he did not get any information from the labour leadership to stay away from work.

“We are very aware that labour leaders are meeting over our four months salary arrears but we are yet to hear from them and if they have taken decisions it will take a while for the information to go round.

“The compliance to the directive cannot be automatic and it will likely take effect much later like say tomorrow, we hear that some banks have shut their banking halls to the public,” Ebi said.

•Photo shows Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson.

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