FCTA Workers Resume Indefinite Strike Over Welfare Concerns

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), on Thursday resumed their indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues.

The workers had initially embarked on the strike on January 19 but briefly suspended it following a ruling by the National Industrial Court on January 27, which ordered them to halt the action and adjourned the case to March 23.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that only a few workers were present across FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies on Thursday, in contrast to Wednesday’s high attendance, following JUAC’s directive for workers to remain at home.

JUAC filed an appeal against the court ruling through its lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, prompting the resumption of the strike.

Following the court’s order, the acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, had directed workers to resume duties on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that workers who failed to return to work would face consequences. He, however, assured that the administration remained open to reasonable negotiations, noting that most of the workers’ demands had been addressed.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, JUAC Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, urged workers to continue the strike from Thursday, calling on them to remain united and committed to the struggle.

Saleh also cited support from organised labour, noting that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a joint communiqué issued on January 28, encouraged FCT workers to defend their rights.

The labour unions argued that the interlocutory injunction secured by the FCTA targeted JUAC President, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer, and Saleh, rather than the trade unions, insisting that the strike would continue until negotiations are concluded.