Osun Strike Grounds Public Schools and Government Offices

• The Osun strike has disrupted public schools, healthcare services and government offices as workers demand the release of withheld local government allocations.

Public services in Osun State have been disrupted following a three-day sympathy strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress over withheld statutory allocations to local government councils.

The industrial action affected public schools, council secretariats, primary healthcare centres and other government establishments on Monday, November 9.

The state NLC directed its affiliate unions to participate in solidarity with members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, whose welfare it said had been affected by the funding dispute.

In Osogbo, public primary and secondary schools were shut, with some pupils returning home after arriving for classes.

Workers who attempted to enter the Government Secretariat at Abere were also turned back. The premises of the State High Court at Okefia were closed to business.

Healthcare services were affected, although the disruption did not amount to a complete withdrawal of care at every facility.

At the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, an unnamed official told PUNCH that the hospital was not receiving new patients, but a limited number of staff continued attending to patients admitted before the strike.

A primary healthcare centre around Odi-Olowo was also reported closed at midday on Monday.

The strike directive was issued in a statement signed by Osun NLC Chairman Christopher Arapasopo and Secretary Victor Amusan.

According to the announced timetable, the action began at midnight on Sunday, November 8, and is scheduled to conclude at midnight on Wednesday, November 11.

The dispute centres on the release of statutory council allocations, with organised labour pressing for intervention to protect local government workers’ interests.

Arapasopo said the funding impasse threatened workers’ cooperative deductions, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other entitlements.

While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to residents, he maintained that the strike was intended to defend workers’ welfare rather than punish the public.

He urged the federal and state governments to resolve the financial dispute and secure the release of outstanding council allocations.