Civil servants in Delta on Monday complied with the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to begin an indefinite strike.

The labour unions had handed down the order over the federal government’s failure to approve and implement a new minimum wage for workers after the May 31 deadline.

In Asaba at 9.00 a.m., most government offices were not opened.

Also, the Delta House of Assembly and the State High Court complex were closed and officials of the labour unions were seen enforcing compliance with the directive.

At the state secretariat, a security official, who did not want to be named for fear of being sanctioned, said the gates to the premises were locked by officials of the unions on Sunday night.

He added that the labour enforcement team led by the TUC chairman, Martin Bolum, returned this morning to check the situation at the secretariat.

Also, students of public primary and secondary schools, who had gone early to school, were seen returning home due to their teachers’ compliance with the strike.

In a telephone interview, Mr Bolum said the unions’ enforcement team had in the early hours of Monday picket some banks, the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, schools and other establishments in the state capital to ensure total compliance.

Police personnel were deployed in strategic locations in Asaba metropolis including the Federal Medical Centre to prevent breakdown of law and order. 

(NAN)