Despite Court Order, FCT Workers Resume Strike

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), on Thursday resumed their indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns, defying directives by the FCT administration to return to work.

The workers had initially commenced the strike on January 19 but briefly suspended action following an order of the National Industrial Court directing them to resume duties pending the determination of the matter.

However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that only a handful of workers were present across FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies on Thursday, a sharp contrast to the heavy turnout recorded on Wednesday.

The low presence followed a directive by JUAC instructing workers to remain at home as the industrial action continues.

The resumption of the strike comes after JUAC filed an appeal against the ruling of the National Industrial Court delivered on January 27, which ordered the suspension of the strike and adjourned the case to March 23. The appeal was filed by the union’s lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN.

Following the court ruling, the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, had directed all workers to resume duties on Wednesday. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also warned that sanctions would be imposed on any worker who failed to comply with the directive.

Wike, however, assured workers that the FCTA remained open to reasonable negotiations, stating that the majority of the workers’ demands had already been addressed.

Despite these assurances, JUAC Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular issued on Wednesday, informed workers that the strike would continue from Thursday due to the pending appeal. He urged workers to stay at home and pray for the success of the strike, stressing that the struggle required unity, discipline and unwavering commitment.

Saleh also cited the backing of major labour unions, noting that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a joint communiqué issued on January 28, encouraged FCT workers to defend their rights with courage and dignity.

According to the communiqué, signed by NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the interlocutory injunction obtained by the FCT administration was targeted at the President of JUAC, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer, and Saleh, rather than the trade unions themselves.
The labour centres insisted that the strike would persist until the FCT minister engages the workers in meaningful negotiations.