Plateau civil servants call off two months’ strike

Civil servants in Plateau State have suspended their two months’ strike with immediate effect, following an agreement between Joint Negotiation Council ((JNC) and the state government to meet their demands by paying the four months’ salary.

In a statement issued and signed by the Chairman of the union, Comrade Titus Malau, and Secretary, Timothy Gopep respectively to reporters in Jos, said the decision to suspend the strike was reached after a meeting between JNC and the state government that the indefinite strike be suspended with effect from 14th July 2023.

It also directed that both the State and Local Government workers resume work on Monday 17th July 2023.

Malau, among demands, explained that the government had paid the balance of salaries for the month of February 2023 and also issued a circular directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement all promotions with immediate effect.

The government has concluded working on a consolidated salary table for the state civil servants, and the same has been signed by both parties.

The Government has also prepared a salary spreadsheet for the month of March 2023 capturing arrears of annual increments for January and February 2022, the same has been presented to the Unions.

He said payment of March 2023 salary to commence on 4th July 2023 after staff verification, adding that the salaries of the months of April and May 2023 would be paid in the same manner as that of March immediately funds are available.

The payment of salary to the newly employed civil servants shall be carried out upon conclusion of the review of their employment by the committee set up for that purpose.

However, there are challenges observed with the payment of the March 2023 salary which the union leadership will follow up to ensure that all are resolved.