The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) has enforced a lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) complex, urging workers to stay at home in compliance with the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to commence an industrial strike action today.
JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, addressed journalists at the closed gates, emphasizing the union’s commitment to the strike as an affiliate of the national labour bodies. She described the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and labour unions over the minimum wage as a protracted struggle exacerbated by the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
“It’s been a long-term struggle concerning the national minimum wage issue. Now the hike in electricity tariff has joined. Till now, they have not reached a compromise on what to pay the least staff as the minimum wage, and since the national body of the two labour unions has declared it; FCT is part of it, we are an affiliate body of the national unions. We have to join the strike,” Iortyer stated.
Reflecting on recent negotiations, Iortyer noted, “As of yesterday, Sunday when they met with the National Assembly, if you listen to the TUC President, he almost gave in, but they had to go back to their NEC to convey the message to see if this is what they will take from the government. So the strike is on until when they reach a compromise.”
She urged FCTA workers to remain at home and maintain their usual compliance. “My advice to FCTA, and FCDA staff is that they should stay at home and remain the obedient staff that we’ve always been,” she added.
An anonymous FCTA staff member confirmed the enforcement, noting that even Directors were denied entry into the complex. “As you can see, we can’t go inside, even our Directors, but we are all in support of our JUAC President, she is fighting for us, we need the pay rise for sure because things are too difficult,” the staff member said.
This strike follows the directive issued by the NLC and TUC on May 31, 2024, calling for an indefinite nationwide strike starting June 3, 2024, due to the breakdown in negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage and the refusal to reverse the recent electricity tariff increase. The unions have rejected the government’s offer of N60,000 as the new minimum wage.
