By Solomon OKPO
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) has rejected a plea for a three-day suspension of the ongoing strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisting that the industrial action will continue until the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, meets directly with the affected workers.
The labour leaders stated this position after a meeting with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, held in Abuja on Monday. According to them, the proposed temporary suspension of the strike would not address the core grievances of workers and would only delay a meaningful resolution of the crisis.
The unions also dismissed the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing a halt to the strike, describing it as untenable under the prevailing circumstances. They accused the court and the FCT administration of acting in collusion to undermine workers’ legitimate demands.
Reaffirming their resolve, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) vowed to sustain the strike action across the FCT, stressing that only a direct engagement between Minister Wike and the workers could pave the way for dialogue and possible resolution.
The labour centres further called on affiliate unions and workers to intensify mobilisation ahead of a mass protest scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja, warning that the protest would proceed as planned until their demands are met.
As of the time of filing this report, essential services in the FCT remained largely disrupted, with the unions maintaining a firm stance that the strike would not be suspended under pressure or through what they described as “judicial technicalities.”
