By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared their full support for workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) insisting that the ongoing strike will continue until the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, engages workers in negotiations.
A statement, jointly signed by Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, and Nuhu Toro, Secretary General of the TUC, says the strike would persist until meaningful negotiations are initiated, urging workers to remain steadfast in their struggle.
The labour centres accused the FCT Minister of subjecting workers to what they described as shabby treatment, alleging intimidation, harassment and threats following a ruling by the National Industrial Court in Abuja that ordered the suspension of the industrial action.
The NLC and TUC criticised the court’s decision, describing it as one-sided and aimed at breaking the strike.
The labour unions said they had expected the minister to take advantage of the court ruling to reach out to organised labour for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
Instead, they alleged that he resorted to threats against workers, a development they said was unacceptable given the gravity of the issues at stake.
According to the statement, the court granted an interlocutory injunction against two individual union leaders and not against the striking trade unions, a situation the NLC and TUC said means the strike action remains valid.
They therefore urged FCT workers to maintain high morale and continue to defend their rights “with courage and dignity.”
The labour centres also reiterated their commitment to the rule of law, stressing that workers must not be reduced to “slaves in their own country.”
They cautioned that the rights of workers must be protected irrespective of the status of parties involved in the dispute.
In a strong message to the judiciary, the NLC and TUC commended judges they described as upright and committed to justice, while warning that judicial officers who compromise integrity would ultimately be held accountable for actions that undermine society.
