Cross River Labour Begins Three-Day Warning Strike
Organised Labour in Cross River State has commenced a three-day warning strike over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to adequately address the economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers and citizens.
The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, is expected to run through Sunday, October 4.
The Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Comrade Raymond Akana, announced the strike, directing workers in the state to comply with the action.
As of the time of filing this report, however, the streets of Calabar remained calm, with no demonstrations or picketing observed. Workers who reported at their various offices were also seen preparing to join the industrial action in line with the directive of organised labour.
Akana said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to respond to the economic difficulties affecting workers, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.
According to him, workers had expected President Bola Tinubu to use his Independence Day broadcast to announce measures aimed at cushioning the effects of the economic hardship confronting Nigerians.
“Our expectation was that the President would make positive pronouncements in terms of the hardship and the economy, the fuel increment and other sundry issues, but the message of the President has nothing to do with the hardship,” Akana said.
He expressed disappointment that the broadcast did not, in the view of organised labour, adequately address the concerns of workers and citizens.
“Yesterday’s broadcast had nothing to show that government is sensitive about the plight of the citizens. That is what informed the strike,” he stated.
Akana said the state council was maintaining communication with the national leadership of organised labour in Abuja and would await further directives on the next course of action.
He, however, warned that the three-day warning strike could be followed by a full-blown industrial action if the government failed to take steps to address the concerns raised by workers.
“I have urged my members to wait for further directives as we are linking up with Abuja for national directives. If nothing is being done, a full-blown strike would be declared,” he said.
