Akwa Ibom workers commence warning strike

Workers numbering about 100 in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly blocked the entrance to the complex with plantain leaves and other objects to signal the commencement of a three-day warning strike on Thursday.
The workers are protesting against government’s non-implementation of an agreement it reached with the
workers union to pay them the new consolidated salary structure.
The workers chanted anti-government songs while protesting in front of the Assembly complex.
They said government was paying lip service to the welfare of the workers “in spite of the fact that the state is rich in oil.’’
State Chairman of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Mr Kufre-Abasi Aderi, told newsmen the union embarked on the strike after the expiration of 21 days ultimatum it gave to the government.
The chairman said the lawmakers refused to look into the demand/plight of the workers after a series of agreements between the union and the Assembly.
Aderi listed some of the workers’ demands to include non-payment of out-fit allowance and non-implementation of new consolidated salary schemes.
He also decried the poor and unhygienic working condition at the assembly complex, saying it needed sprucing up.
“Consequent upon this, the entire members of staff of the state House of Assembly after due consultation unanimously declared three days warning strike from yesterday
“We are all human beings. In spite of appeals and overtures, the lawmakers have shown that they are very insensitive to our plight as workers.
“We, therefore, have to shut down the complex to press home our demands”, he said.
He stated that after the warning strike, the workers would embark on an indefinite industrial action to press home their demands if the government failed to yield to their requests.
Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Samuel Ikon, could not be reached for comments as calls made to his telephone indicated that it had been switched off.