Following Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura’s declaration to replace striking workers with the unemployed graduates in the state, the Lafia government house was, on Monday, besieged by thousands of unemployed graduates with their curriculum vitae (CVs) expressing willingness to replace the striking workers.
The unemployed graduates, who among many others, took to the streets to protest against the strike action embarked upon by the joint labour union in the state, accused workers of greed and insensitivity for refusing to accede to government’s move for downward review of salaries in the face of the ongoing economic crunch.
Comrade Musa Yusuf who spoke on behalf of the group said, “if striking workers are not ready to accept the changes, we the unemployed graduates in the state are fully ready and willing to take over from them”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all of us here are with our CVs and other relevant documents to hand over to the governor in the event that vacancies arise” Yusuf added.
The Deputy Governor, Hon. Silas Agara, who addressed the mammoth crowd on behalf of Governor Almakura, said workers in the state were receiving three times their due salaries and called on them to make necessary sacrifice for the common wealth of the entire citizenry of the state.
Agara noted that the salary review implemented by government does not breach the Minimum Wage Act.
In their submission, coalition of trade and civil unions led by Mr.Abubakar Ubandoma, said there was no reason for the organised labour unions to embark on an indefinite strike considering the present economic challenges facing the nation.
“As you can see, different groups across the state are here to tell you that we are solidly behind the state government’s decision on the downward review of workers salary across the state and we believe that this was due to the dwindling economy and the need to take care of other aspects of the economy” he explained.
“If any worker will not return back to work, it means such worker is insensitive and unpatriotic because they have been enjoying national minimum wage since 2011 when the economy was good, so we appeal to them to return to work,” he said.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/151384/nasarawa-strike-unemployed-graduates-besiege-govt-house-cvs

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