The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, issued a directive for Abia State’s civil servants to engage in industrial action, and they have complied.
Most employees stayed away from their places of employment as the strike began at 7 am on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the NLC strike enforcement team was present to ensure compliance when news crews visited the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government, Abia State Planning Commission, and Ministry of Agriculture, all of which are located at Library Avenue.
Paschal Nweke, the chairman of the NLC, led the enforcement team and hung banners and flags from some government buildings.
The gates to the buildings at the Abia State Primary Healthcare Office and Civil Service Commission were locked, and only security personnel were present.
Also, the State-owned radio station, Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, BCA radio, announced to listeners that “We would be offering skeletal services today”.
At Umuahia North LGA headquarters beside the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ press centre, the gates to the council secretariat were locked with big keys, though some workers were seen inside the compound but not allowed into their offices.
Addressing journalists at Library Avenue, Nweke said workers would remain at home until they received a credit alert for their salaries.
“We are on strike for non-payment of salaries, pensions, leave allowances and minimum wage.
“We met with the state government and had some agreement, but they have not done anything.
“They are still receiving allocations, so they should pay us. The strike is total.
“We can’t stop this strike until we start getting our alerts,” the NLC Chairman said.
He further regretted that workers in some state parastatals and agencies and pensioners were being owed huge amounts of money in arrears.