THERE are indications that the non-implementation of the national minimum wage of N18, 000 by the Plateau Sate government, which currently paralyzes commercial activities, may soon snowball into a nationwide strike.
Also, the CWC has confirmed Chris Uyot, Deputy General Secretary and Acting General Secretary.
Uyot takes over from former General Secretary, John Odah, who is still contesting his removal from office.
Meanwhile, Plateau State workers who were on strike Monday staged a peaceful procession but were dispersed by the police with tear-gas.
The planned strike warning was handed down in a statement signed by Abdulwahed Omar and Chris Uyot, Congress President and Acting General Secretary respectively, at the end of the meeting of the NLC's Central Working Committee (CWC).
After deliberation on the six-month long industrial crisis in Plateau State, and the efforts of the leadership of Congress to settle the issue through dialogue to no avail, the CWC approved a three-day solidarity strike if dialogue with the state government fails.
It subsequently gave Plateau State government up to tomorrow, to begin the implementation of the wage.
The CWC also directed that all state councils across the country to organise prayer sessions against the dictatorship of the governor of Plateau State and all those standing against the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The body also directed all its members - Presidents and General Secretaries of all the affiliate unions - to be in Jos to express their solidarity with the Plateau State workers when the strike commences.
The CWC called on all affiliates and state councils to begin mobilisation for the three-day strike and then await further directive.
All affiliate unions and state councils were also directed to commence mobilisation of workers for the strike from December 20. 2012 and to await further directives.
The CWC, which held in Abuja last week Friday observed that Plateau State council workers had temporarily agreed to accept a 55 per cent minimum wage with an understanding with the government that the new wage would be implemented in full when finances of the state improved.
The CWC noted that despite the patriotic gesture of the workers, the government had refused to pay them the outstanding salary arrears of six months, which had led to a declaration of strike.
The CWC further observed that government had deployed armed security men and thugs to unleash unprecedented harassment and violence on the striking workers.
The police who used tear gass indiscriminately on the workers also fired one at the Our Lady of Apostles' (OLA) Hospital in Jos, the development which drew the ire of the management of the hospital.
In a swift reaction yesterday, Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Plateau State, Yusuf Zambuk, expressed surprise that the new state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, had been allegedly bought over by the government.
