NIMC workers suspend strike, to resume work Monday

About 24 hours after declaring a nationwide strike, workers of the National Identity Management Commission have suspended the industrial action.

They had embarked on the strike on Thursday over fear of contracting COVID-19 from the crowd thronging their offices for National Identity Number registration and other welfare issues.

They reportedly suspended the action on Friday after meeting with the Federal Government and the latter promised to address the demands of the employees.

The President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC Unit, Lucky Asekokhai, confirmed the suspension of the strike in Abuja.

He added that NIMC workers across the country would resume work by Monday and recommence the enrolment of citizens for the National Identity Number.

Following the strike, the NIN registration at the offices of NIMC across the country was halted and crowds of people who had come for NIN enrolment became stranded.

Punch quoted Asekokhai as saying, “We just finished the meeting and the minister (of communications and digital economy) has intervened in the matter. He has promised to look into our grievances.

“So we will be meeting with the minister on Tuesday and on that note, we’ve called off the strike and all workers will return to their offices by Monday morning.”

He said the Trade Union Congress, which was the mother body of ASCSN, was part of the meeting with the government, adding that a 21-day ultimatum was served on the management of NIMC.

He said, “We actually served the management of NIMC a 21-day ultimatum based on the issues of welfare and safety against COVID-19 that we raised. The ultimatum starts counting today (Friday) officially.”