The indefinite strike embarked upon by the organised labour in Niger had been called off, following the intervention of the Speaker of the State Assembly, Malam Ahmed Marafa.
The Niger State Chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had started the strike on Monday to protest deductions in workers’ salaries.
At the meeting, Marafa solicited for a truce between the labour and the state government in order to reduce the hardship the action had brought on the people.
“We were able to reach very impressive headway and on a happy note, an agreement has been reached, after series of deliberation,” he said.
On the part of the NLC Chairman, Idris Ndako, labour would end the strike when some conditions agreed on by the government are met.
“In our resolution, it was agreed that all workers in the state be paid their salaries in full.
“The state government will make available the sum of N1.35 billion monthly for a period of three months starting from this month (July).
“We will undertake staff screening to determine the payment of workers.
“The balance amount for June will be paid after the screening and to be handled by the organised Labour.
“And with the above resolution, we have agreed to end the strike and no worker shall be victimised or dealt with because of the strike,” he said.
Also the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Danyaya, said that government had resolved to reach an agreement with labour for industrial harmony to reign in the state.
“Henceforth, all civil servants from level 17 downwards will be paid by the organised Labour as government will pay salaries directly to Labour.
“Government has given labour the sum of N1.35 billion for July salary,” he said.
The agreement to end the strike was signed for the state government by the Secretary to the State Government while the chairman of the NLC signed for the organised