The gate of the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, has been shut by members of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to prevent workers from gaining access into the premises.
The action is in compliance with the directive of the National body of NLC over failure to implement the Minimum Wage demand by Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu.
The striking workers gathered as early as 7.30 am on Monday and locked the access gates into the Secretariat, thereby, preventing vehicular movement into the premises.
According to Vanguard, the action is being supervised by armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS of the Lagos State Police Command, to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order or possible hijack by miscreants.
The premises shut comprises of Governor’s office, his deputy, the state House of Assembly, Ministries, Departments, some Agencies, banks, among other businesses.
One of the workers, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said, though he reported for work despite warning by the union leaders being circulated earlier via a platform just to see if he could gain access but was prevented.
He said messages are circulating on the platform directing workers to stay off from the office and stay at home.
Also, the state chairman, NLC, Mrs Funmi Sessi, who is presently on ground to monitor compliance of the strike was seen directing officers to effectively man the gates and prevent any recalcitrant worker or motorist from entering the premises.
Sessi was also captured in a video, fuming and blaming governments for being insensitive to plights of Nigerian workers in the face of harsh economic situation of the country.
She also directed officers to proceed to other public offices in the state such as: courts, electricity branches, among others to ensure compliance of the strike order.
As of press time, 8.30 am, there was total compliance to the strike by Lagos workers with no threat to law and order.
Meanwhile, despite directive by leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to join the strike, some journalists from various media houses are also monitoring the development.
Details later…
