Abuja:The organized labour movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is experiencing a significant divide as unions express differing views regarding the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council. The strike, which started on Wednesday, involves workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the private sector, in response to unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Accourding to News Agency of Nigeria, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has instructed its members to disregard the strike and continue reporting for work. TUC criticized the NLC for making a unilateral decision without consulting other unions, including the TUC FCT Council. Mr. Sunday Joseph, the TUC Secretary in FCT, emphasized that the congress did not participate in the meeting that led to the strike decision.
The TUC has urged its affiliated unions and workers to perform their duties normally and report any harassment or intimidation to the TUC Secretariat. They reiterated their commitment to workers’ welfare while cautioning against actions that could disrupt children’s education.
Conversely, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has decided to support the strike. In a notice signed by State Secretary Mr. Ayendi Agede, NULGE instructed its members, including non-teaching staff of the Local Education Authority, to join the strike from Friday. The union called for calm and unity in defending workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools has aligned with TUC, directing secondary school teachers and education officers to continue their academic duties. Mr. Julius Ogundiran, the union’s chairman in FCT, issued this directive in a statement from Abuja.
Amid these developments, stakeholders are voicing concerns about the impact on students. Mr. Abdulkarim Muhammad, Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), FCT Chapter, emphasized that students should not suffer due to government-labour disputes. He urged all parties to prioritize students’ education and the future of FCT students.