The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council has directed all workers in the six area councils of the FCT to commence an indefinite strike starting December 1.
The directive, issued by Knabanyi Adalo, Chairman of the NLC FCT council, was announced in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. The decision follows a resolution by the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) during its meeting on November 8 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urging council chairmen to implement the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
Adalo criticized the chairmen for failing to comply with the directive to implement the new minimum wage across their respective councils, despite repeated demands.
“In response to their refusal, the organized labour, at its State Administrative Council meeting held on November 12, unanimously resolved to adhere strictly to the national directive and embark on an indefinite strike,” Adalo stated.
The chairman warned that the failure to implement the new wage by November 30 constitutes a gross violation of the law and demonstrates a disregard for workers’ welfare.
He also noted frustration over other unresolved issues, including outstanding arrears of primary school teachers and other pending entitlements.
“The state administrative council also noted with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by the area councils’ chairmen to pay some pending entitlements to the workers,” he said.
Adalo emphasized that the strike would continue until further notice unless the government takes immediate action to address these issues.
