Indefinite strike: JUAC shuts FCTA Secretariat

The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) locked the entrance of the secretariat on Monday in compliance with the infinite industrial action undertaken by the labour union.

Supreme News reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had on May 31 directed their members to embark on an indefinite strike from June 3.

The action, according to the unions, was over the failure of the Federal Government to increase the N60,000 minimum wage it offered to workers and its refusal to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariff.

The President of JUAC, Mrs. Rifkatu Lortyer, said in Abuja that the committee’s decision to deny workers access to the Secretariat was in compliance with the NLC and TUC directives.

Lortyer explained that JUAC, being part of the labour unions, has no choice but to fully enforce the strike.

“My advice to FCTA workers is simple: stay at home and be the obedient workers you’ve always been.

“The strike action is in the interest of the Nigerian workers,” she said.

During the May Day celebration, the labour unions issued the Federal Government an ultimatum to ensure that negotiations on a new national minimum wage were concluded by May 31.

The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told newsmen that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

Osifo also said that the strike was imperative due to the refusal of the government to reverse the hike in electricity tariffs.

Supreme News reports that the NLC confirmed the nationwide strike after a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.

In spite of appeals to call off the strike, labour leaders insist on proceeding due to unresolved minimum wage disputes.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that the nationwide strike set for June 3 will proceed, following a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.

The meeting, which aimed to resolve the minimum wage dispute, ended without an agreement.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas presided over the discussions, which also included high-ranking government officials such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.