The Niger State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have extended the ultimatum given to the state government to meet their demands on the welfare of their members.

The extension of the ultimatum followed the deadline given the government falling on public holidays.

As a result, according to labour laws, the ultimatum will now lapse on January 11, 2023 after which a strike will be declared within 24 hours if government does not address the issues in contention.

Rising from a meeting held at the labour house Wednesday, the organized laboursaid: “Considering the 7 days public holiday declared by the Niger State Government and the Labour Act, the organized labour hereby extends the ultimatum to give room for the provisions of the Labour Act while discussions continue.”

A communique jointly signed by the stateNLC Chairman, Abdulkarerm Idris Lafene, and his TUC counterpart, Ibrahim Gana, stated that: “In the event that negotiations failed, the organized labour will have no option than to embark on industrial action within 24 hours”

The labour unions therefore called on the government “to use this window to address the pending issues” before asking its members for “their unflinching support and understanding” and also urged them “to remain calm and go about their duties in a peaceful manner as we continue to ensure the protection of their welfare”.

Though the communique did not state the demands of the organized labour, it was learnt that the payment of the N35,000 wage award, payment of pensions and gratuities to retirees and enhanced salaries for some workers are among the demands. (THISDAY)