NiMet workers threaten strike over welfare concerns, issue 14-day ultimatum

Workers under the Nigerian Meteorological Agency have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the agency’s management to address longstanding welfare concerns or face a nationwide industrial action.

The unions said this in a letter titled “Failure to respond to lawful and reasonable demands—14 days ultimatum,” which our correspondent obtained on Wednesday.

It was signed by Ocheme Abah of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Sikiru Waheed of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and Abdul Rasaq Saidu of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.

The unions accused NiMet’s management of neglecting workers’ welfare and failing to implement critical policies for staff wellbeing.

“We are highly concerned that your management has inexplicably refused all entreaties from our unions to address the extremely adverse circumstances of the workers at NiMet. Despite being evidently aware of the clear backward state of NiMet’s staff welfare status in the aviation industry, your Management remains unmoved and lethargic in addressing this obvious malady,” the letter read in parts.

According to the letter, management has ignored repeated calls to resolve issues such as the non-payment of nine months’ arrears under the 2019 Minimum Wage Act, failure to implement the reviewed scheme of service since 2019, and non-payment of allowances, including the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and hardship allowance.

“The workers of the Agency do not deserve the suffering that the actions and inaction of your Management continue to mete out to them,” the unions said.

Other grievances include non-compliance with ministerial directives for the review of Conditions of Service, non-payment of a 25-35 per cent wage award, and refusal to facilitate the transition from CONMETSS.

The letter emphasised that all workers of NiMet are directed to withdraw their services beginning at 6 a.m. on February 4, 2025, if the issues remain unresolved.

“In the light of the foregoing, we wish to inform you that the Unions as named above shall be moved to commence industrial action against the Agency after fourteen (14) days from the date of the stated issues are not completely ameliorated.

“Therefore, all workers of NiMet by a copy of this letter are hereby directed to withdraw all services at the Agency with effect from 6am on Tuesday 4 February 2025 unless otherwise.”

NiMet management is yet to respond to the ultimatum, raising tensions as the deadline approaches.