GOVERNMENTand commercialactivities have been paralysed in Plateau State following the strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to press home the implementation of the N18, 000 new national minimum wage.When the Nigerian Tribune correspondent went round the state capital, on Tuesday, banks and offices were shut as those who thronged banks for transactions were disappointed as none of the commercial banks within the state capital opened for business.The Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat was deserted as workers stayed at home in obedience to the directives of the NLC, TUC and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).In a notice of indefinite strike signed by Messrs Jibrin Bancir (NLC); Ade Akinboh (TUC) and Yusuf Zambuk (JNC), the unions said that they decided to embark on the strike after the negotiations between labour and government failed.The statement said, "We regret to inform union the last meeting on Friday, 23 September, 2011, negotiations failed due to government insincerity and highhandedness."In this regard, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress is hereby directing all affiliate trade unions to mobilise members for an indefinite strike action commencing midnight Wednesday 28th September, 2011."Nigerian Tribune learnt that attempts by the Sir Fedelis Tapgun-led group of elders charged with the responsibility of negotiating with the labour ended up in a deadlock last week.However, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Yiljap Abraham, debunked the claim that the meeting of the elders with the labour ended up in a deadlock, saying it was ongoing. However, the strike has been called off in Enugu and Katsina States.It was learnt that the suspension of the strike in Enugu was on the order of the national leadership of the organised labour to create room for leaders of the NLC, at both national and state levels, to go back to negotiating table with the Enugu State government on how best to resolve the protracted industrial dispute.Addressing the aggrieved workers at the NLC secretariat, Enugu, on Tuesday, the national president of NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, made it clear that if at the expiration of the 21 days the state government still failed to reach a compromise with the labour leaders, they would have no option but to ask workers to start another round of indefinite strike until the workers demands were met.In Katsina State, chairman of the NLC, Comrade Aliyu Matazu, while announcing the suspension during a press conference in Katsina, on Tuesday, said the commitment of the state government towards resolving the impasse allowed for the immediate suspension of the strike action.Matazu said the implementation of the minimum wage would commence in December 2011 but may commence earlier, subject to completion of a staff audit to be conducted.According to him, the staff audit would be carried out to determine the actual number of staff on the payroll of the state and local governments.
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