The indefinite nationwide strike declared by the joint labour unions in the country on Tuesday took on another dimension in Kwara State, as members of the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees, NUAAE, and their counterparts at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, picketed their organisations as directed by the labour unions in the country, to drive home their long-standing demand for better working conditions.
The Olam Branch Chairman of NUAAE, Okuode Christopher, and other union leaders who led the protest and picketing, warned workers to stay away from the workplace, noting that workers have been treated like slaves in their own country for over seven years, with poor salaries and allowances they could no longer cope with, because of the current economic realities, informing this three-day warning strike and picketing.
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When contacted for comments, the Human Resources Manager of the Olam Industry, simply identified as Solomon Makinde, resulted in threats and intimidation to both journalists and the company workers.
But the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Tunde Joseph, however, maintained that the nationwide strike in the state was effective, as ministries and agencies were shut.
Though compliance level with the directive by the NLC/TUC at some ministries and agencies was partial, some offices remained open, with normal vehicular movement in Ilorin, the state capital.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
