N30,000 Minimum Wage: Bayelsa Teachers To Embark On Indefinite Strike

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a warning of an impending indefinite strike in Bayelsa's public primary and secondary schools, citing concerns related to the N30,000 minimum wage and overdue promotion arrears.

The union took the decision at an executive meeting on Oct. 12, after an earlier three-day warning strike failed to compel the Bayelsa Government to act.

The teachers had given a 14-day ultimatum to the government and local councils to address the plight of teachers across the state or face industrial action.

The grievances, according to the NUT, include the inability of both state and local governments to implement the N30,000 minimum wage and effect the promotion of primary school teachers in the state.

The union said teachers suffered untold hardships due to the non-payment of promotion arrears to the teachers.

NUT expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s continuous negligence of the plight of teachers who play critical roles in the state, despite engaging them at different fora in futility.

It said the government’s attitude had brought nothing but humiliation and frustration to primary and secondary school teachers in the state.

It said the 14-day ultimatum took effect from Oct. 13 after failure to address the issues within the limit of the ultimatum would force teachers in the state to go on strike.

The eight local government branches of NUT in Bayelsa ratified the strike notice.

Signatories to the communique after the meeting included chairmen of LG branches of the union.

Meanwhile, Dr Gentle Emelah, Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, did not respond to telephone calls and messages requesting the government’s clarification.

NAN reports that schools in Bayelsa had vacated on August 29 due to an expected flood and are slated to resume on November 13.