The NLC chair in Plateau, Eugene Manji, stated on Wednesday that the state’s civil servants would suspend their ongoing strike if the government paid the balance of their February and March salaries.

Plateau civil servants embarked on an indefinite strike on May 11 after the government failed to meet their demands, including payment of salaries and other entitlements.

“We asked the administration of the former governor to pay civil servants that were yet to collect their February salaries and to pay March salary arrears, but it did not,” he said

Mr Manji explained that the new administration had asked for time to consider their demands and eventually agreed to pay only after verifying the strength of the civil service staff. 

“We are monitoring the screening, which started on Tuesday, and if our members begin to receive their bank credit alerts as the government promised, then we will summon a meeting and consider the possibility of suspending the strike,” the NLC leader stated.

Mr Manji explained that the Plateau government promised that the verification would hold concurrently with payment. He said he was also aware that the House of Assembly approved Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s request to secure a facility and clear the backlog of salaries.

“We want to give the government the benefit of the doubt and return to work after the payment of the one-month arrears with the hope that it will pay for the remaining months. Should the government renege, we would be left with no choice but to resume the industrial action,” Mr Manji stressed.

(NAN)