Daily activities persists as strike commence in Osun

As the strike action embarked on by organised labour gets under way in Osun State, students of public primary and secondary schools were observed going back to their homes.

It was also gathered that the public schools in the state were closed as teachers asked their students and pupils to go back home.

Organised labour had called for a nationwide strike starting from midnight on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The strike action was called on following the assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, in Imo State early in the month.

However, vehicular activities was not affected as commercial and private vehicles were observed plying different routes in the state capital,
Osogbo.

A teacher in one of the public secondary school in Osogbo who pleaded anonymity stated that the teachers had no choice than to obey the labour body.

She also added that the directive to start the strike was from above and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT joined.

"We were told to commence strike by midnight and because out students were not aware of it, we had to send our wards home.

"The strike is in full force and it may not end until another directive is given by the national body of the NLC."

Also, a civil servants in Osun State, who also craved anonymity revealed that the Osun State Secretariat was scanty.

He also added that it is only the top hierarchy of the state civil service that were in their stations.

"As it is this morning, the gate of the Osun State Secretariat is open. Though the whole place is scanty but most senior civil servants are on ground.

"Probably from tomorrow the strike may start to bite but as at now, it is business as usual.

"I am in my office and I am working."

Banks in Osogbo too were functioning as it was observed customers going in for their daily transactions.

Bimbo Fasasi, chairman of Osun Trade Union Congress, TUC, Osun State chapter, said other demands which include non-fulfilment of wage award, non payment of salaries

He also said the wage award committee set up for workers in the state is working hard.

"The committee would come out with something meaningful to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal."



FI