There was total compliance in Abia State on Monday with the strike ordered by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, following the Federal Government’s inability to accept its proposed N494,000 minimum wage.
DAILY POST reports federal establishments and the state secretariat were under lock and key, as NLC officials guarding the gates of the offices ensured no one gained entrance.
A visit by our correspondent to commercial banks located at Akanu Ibiam Road in Umuahia saw the financial institutions closed with customers stranded, with no staff to attend to them.
At Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), and Abia Polytechnic, Aba, academic activities were grounded as lecturers deserted the classrooms in compliance with the strike.
Also, state government-owned primary and secondary schools joined the strike as pupils and students were asked to return home.
In the same vein, the Abia State High Court, Customary Court of Appeal and the State Judicial Service Commission were under lock and key.
According to a statement on Sunday from the Abia chapter of NLC, members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), would enforce the strike around all the courts in the state.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Abia residents have called on the Federal Government to engage the organized labour unions in further dialogue.
Speaking to DAILY POST on Monday, Mr Uchechukwu Christian and Mrs Nancy Nzomuche posited that the indefinite strike declared by the labour unions would worsen the current economic hardship and hunger ravaging the citizens.
Residents lament as NLC, TUC strike grounds activities in Abia
