Federal Capital Territory (FCT) workers have continued their strike despite a court order asking them to suspend the action and return to work.

The workers, under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), began an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved welfare issues. They said the problems were affecting their morale and productivity.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) later joined the strike in solidarity with FCT Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) workers.

Workers’ Demands

The striking workers are asking for:

Payment of five months’ wage awards

Outstanding promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024

Full payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance

Payment of 22 months’ rural allowance for health workers

Remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions

An end to intimidation of workers

Improved welfare and better working conditions

Court Order

On Tuesday, the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered the workers to suspend the strike pending further hearing. The order followed a suit filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the injunction, directing the union leaders to stop the industrial action.

Court documents showed that Wike and the FCTA are the claimants, while union leaders Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh are the defendants.

Strike Still Ongoing

Despite the court order, the strike continued as of Wednesday.

Checks  showed that many schools and health facilities in Bwari Area Council remained closed.

Students of Government Day Secondary School, Dutse Alhaji; Junior Secondary School, Ushafa; and LEA Primary School, Ushafa were sent home as early as 8 a.m.

An official at LEA Primary School, Ushafa, who spoke anonymously, said there was no official notice that the strike had been suspended.

According to him, the court order applied only to the union leaders, not to all workers.

Wike’s Aide Reacts

Speaking to Newsmen, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the FCT Minister, said those who declared the strike had resumed work.

He explained that workers who were still at home might not have received proper information.

“The strike was not declared by the NUT. Those who declared the strike have resumed and were in their offices today,” he said.

“If others have not resumed, they may not have the correct information. By tomorrow, they should be back at work.”

Source; PM News