Civil servants in Ondo State, Nigeria, joined a three-day warning strike called by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, with about 50 per cent compliance recorded on Friday. The strike, which involved federal, state and local government workers, was in response to unmet demands. An observation at the Federal Secretariat in Akure showed that most offices were closed, although a few workers were present. They claimed to have come for personal matters, not official duties.
A similar situation was observed at the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, where most offices were closed, and a few workers were present but declined to attend to people seeking official services. The commission's office was largely shut, adding to the overall impression of a strike in progress. However, some state ministries remained open, with workers seen at the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Information and Orientation, and Agriculture.
The level of compliance with the strike varied across the state. While some ministries were closed, others were open, with workers attending to their duties or present for personal reasons. It was not immediately clear whether workers at the open ministries were carrying out official duties or just present for personal matters. The mixed response to the strike was evident across different sectors.
Schools visited in parts of Akure, the state capital, were open, with students attending classes as usual. This contrasted with the situation in the government offices, where the strike was more pronounced. The presence of students in their classrooms suggested that the education sector was not fully impacted by the industrial action.
Comrade Oluwasegun Ajiboye, the chairman of the Ondo State Joint Negotiating Council, confirmed that the state recorded 50 per cent compliance with the strike. He also stated that the council had set up a committee to monitor compliance across the state. This move was aimed at ensuring that the strike was effectively implemented and that the demands of the workers were communicated to the relevant authorities.
The strike was called by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, which represents the interests of federal, state and local government workers. The council's demands had not been met, prompting the decision to embark on a warning strike. The level of compliance in Ondo State reflected the varying degrees of commitment to the strike across different sectors and locations.
The strike action in Ondo State was part of a larger industrial action involving workers across Nigeria. The situation remained under observation, with stakeholders monitoring the developments and potential outcomes. The impact of the strike on public services and the economy was being assessed, as workers and government officials sought a resolution to the impasse.
Key points
- The strike recorded 50 per cent compliance in Ondo State.
- Some state ministries remained open during the strike.
- Schools in Akure were open, with students attending classes.
