Workers in Bauchi on Tuesday defied the indefinite nationwide strike embarked by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The industrial action followed the federal government’s failure to meet the workers’ demands due to the removal of fuel subsidy and alleged harassment of the union officials by security agents.

Correspondents who monitored the strike in Bauchi report that academic activities and business transactions continued unhindered in schools, hospitals and banks in the metropolis.

At Government Day Junior Secondary School, Gwallameji and Sa’adu Zungur Secondary School, Bauchi, teachers and students were seen taking lessons in classes.

Abubakar Sadiq, an instructor in the school, said they had yet to receive formal or written directives on the strike.

“We are under the state government and we are still waiting for a circular informing us to embark on the strike. We can’t just go on strike without receiving a circular to that effect.

“Hence, normal academic activities will continue in the schools. Students’ attendance is 100 per cent just like any other day,” he said.

Also, normal services continued at Yelwa Labourer Primary Healthcare Centre and health facilities in the metropolis.

However, the strike paralysed services in Kano’s schools, clinics, banks and other financial institutions.

Few workers reported to work at the state and federal government’s secretariats in partial compliance to the industrial action. Public primary and secondary school students were sent home in compliance with the strike.

The strike also paralysed the ongoing First Semester examination at the Bayero University Kano, as the examination halls shut behind desperate students.

Similarly, some of the banks were also closed, with a handful of them running skeletal services.

The NLC chairman in Bauchi, Kabiru Inuwa, said they were working to ensure full compliance with the strike.

“We are monitoring compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices,” he said

Mr Inuwa said the industrial action achieved 75 per cent compliance in the state.

(NAN)