Commissioner Condemns Shut Down Of Lagos State Owned Broadcast Media By Labour
The Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment and Training Afolabi Ayantayo, has described the shutting down of its three broadcast stations : Lagos Television, Eko FM and Lagos Traffic by Labour Unions – NLC, RATTAWU and NUJ as unconstitutional and unnecessary.
The Commissioner said the labour unions forcefully shut down Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM and Lagos Traffic Radio all situated in the same compound. They tore down doors and switched off transmitters in a disturbing show of violence- all in the name of a strike.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner, the action was taken by the unionists, who are pushing that 245 workers should be put on government’s payroll, despite ongoing talks to resolve the matter.
“A meeting between representatives of the government, led by the Honourable Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo and the leadership of the Unions was initiated on January 8, 2025, after submissions were made by the management of the broadcast organisations to the Ministry of Establishments and Training.
“However, the Labour Unions disrupted the transmission of the broadcast stations by shutting down their transmitters and chasing out staff who were on essential duty from the premises. This is a violation of the rights of those workers.
“The leaders of NUJ and RATTAWU are advised to refrain from intimidating staff from carrying out their lawful duty. A strike should not be turned into an attack on the agencies and their workers.
“Workers of the three broadcast stations are enjoined to report to work and avoid any confrontation with the union members”, the Commissioner ordered.
The Union led by the Chairman NLC Lagos Chapter, Comrade Funmi Sessi, had picketed the Lagos State government owned broadcast outfits over the government’s refusal to pay the ₦85,000 approved minimum for Lagos State workers.
She said the union had met with the management of the broadcast house to negotiate the payment since other staff of the state have been receiving their own minimum wage since November 2024, but the meetings were not successful. She added that shutting down the operations of the media house was the last resort as she advised the LASG to fulfill its own part of the deal.
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