Subsidy Removal: NLC Begins Negotiation With Jigawa Govt

Following the suspension of the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the NLC, Jigawa State chapter has commenced negotiation with the state government on its demands which included six months wage award.

The state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sanusi Alhassan Maigatari revealed this while speaking to newsmen on the progress made on the negotiation process.

He said the commitment demonstrated by Jigawa State government in the negotiation is very encouraging, adding that there is hope of reaching fruitful result that will improve the condition of civil servants in the state.

“The state delegation under the Head of Civil Service are exhibiting maturity and sense of concern in the discussion, while from our own side we are ready to give chance for meaningful progress.

“The agreement reached between federal government and our national body for suspending the intended nationwide strike is what give birth to our negotiation, and the demands we forwarded are in line with the agreement reached at the national level,” the chairman declared.

Alhassan explained that, the demands included, payment of six-month wage award, provision of soft loan and palliatives to the workers in the state.

“We also requested on the state government to come up with public mass transit (a cheaper transportation programme) to help in reducing the huge burden on workers and general public which emanated from the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.

The NLC chairman added that, currently workers are passing through most difficult time as a result of fuel subsidy removal which made the economic situation in the country very intense, adding that the price of all commodities and food items increased by over 50 percent while the salary remains stagnant.