Labour leaders in Oyo State, including the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have commended most workers in the state for adhering to the directive regarding the nationwide strike.
The union leaders disclosed that organisations such as the Federal Government Secretariat, University College Hospital, State High Court, and banks, among other institutions in the state, did not open for business on Monday.
The Chairman of the Oyo State NLC, Comrade Kayode Martins, who spoke through telephone, noted that the directive is sit-at-home and many workers have complied as many organisations did not open on Monday morning, revealing that labour leaders are, however, going round some other organisations whose workers reported for duty to enforce compliance.
Similarly, the Oyo TUC Chairman, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, said many workers and organisations such as banks have shut down in compliance, noting that the exercise will gradually gather momentum as the labour leaders review and monitor the situation.
Voice of Nigeria reports that the state Secretariat was opened on Monday morning and many of the workers were seen reporting to their duty posts, although activities could be said to be low, many workers and those who have business to run within the Secretariat were seen going about their businesses.
Increased Security
Security was also increased around the state Secretariat as combined security operatives, including the Police, NSCDC, Amotekun, DSS, and Counter Terrorism Unit of the Police, were seen with their patrol vans strategically located.
Also, banks within Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were shut down, as many of the banks who had their staff report for duty were seen not attending to customers, and many customers who arrived at the banks were turned back, while others were referred to the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for their transactions.
The gates to Federal Government institutions, including the Federal Secretariat and the University College Hospital (UCH), were seen shut as many workers who arrived for duty early Monday morning were turned back and those who arrived earlier before the union leaders arrived were sent out to enforce compliance.
Also Read: Strike: Kano State Records 80 Percent Compliance
Enforcing compliance
Labour leaders, including the NLC and TUC chairmen, members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and the State Advisory Council (SAC), later entered the Oyo State Government Secretariat to enforce compliance.
The NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, who expressed dismay at the level of non-compliance with the sit-at-home directive, also wondered why workers who would be the beneficiary of the effort would refuse to sit at home and comply with the national directive.
Mild drama
A mild drama played out at the entrance of the Secretariat, as some of the security operatives on the ground disallowed the labour leaders who threatened to shut down the gate.
To announce their arrival, the Labour leaders parked their vehicles and blocked the entrance to the Secretariat.
The leaders also led members to go round the various ministries, departments, and agencies to drive workers out and ensure the offices were locked, warning the workers not to report for duty on Tuesday as enforcement would be maintained.
The labour unions called for a nationwide strike, beginning on Monday, as it could not reach an agreement with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage.
