The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kano State branch, has suspended its ongoing strike after reaching an agreement with the Kano State Government.
The industrial action, which began on March 11, was suspended on March 13 after several meetings between leaders of the association and government officials.
The discussions were led by the Acting Head of Service of Kano State, Bilkisu Shehu Maimota.
Other officials involved in the negotiations included the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, A K Maude, and the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the chairman of LOAN in Kano, Abdullahi Aminu Shams, said the decision to suspend the strike followed extensive consultations between the association and government representatives.
“LOAN under my chairmanship has agreed to suspend its strike, and we have given the Kano State Government 21 days to begin implementing the report of the committee set up to review our demands and challenges,” Shams said.
He explained that the suspension of the strike would give the government time to start addressing the issues raised by members of the association.
According to him, the association expects the government to begin implementing the recommendations of the committee within the 21-day period.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Waiya, also confirmed that the strike had been suspended after both sides reached an understanding during the meeting.
“The announcement of the suspension was made by the Chairman of LOAN, Kano State, and the leadership of the Trade Union Congress immediately after hours of discussions and agreement reached between the two parties,” he said.
Waiya commended the leadership of the association, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and other stakeholders for their role in resolving the matter.
“We thank the leadership of LOAN, TUC and other critical stakeholders for their patriotism, maturity and sense of responsibility in resolving the issue,” he said.
He added that their efforts contributed to reaching a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
Recall that lawyers working with the Kano State Ministry of Justice began an indefinite strike on Wednesday over unresolved welfare and working condition issues.
They complained that lawyers were working under difficult conditions and had not received some statutory allowances and other entitlements provided by law.
