- FCTA Workers Hold Protest At Industrial Court, Demand Wike’s Removal
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NLC backs protest, cites rights violations and unfulfilled labour agreements.
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Workers demand Wike’s removal as protests hit National Industrial Court.
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, with backing from the Nigeria Labour Congress, on Monday picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja as part of a total and indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the action followed a directive by the NLC, which declared full support for the industrial action, describing the strike as justified amid what it called persistent violations of workers’ rights by the management and political leadership of the FCTA.
The workers accused the FCTA authorities of failing to address long standing welfare issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, poor working conditions and the absence of essential working tools. They said repeated engagements with the administration had produced no meaningful outcome, leaving them with no option but to commence an indefinite strike.
During the protest at the court premises, the workers displayed placards calling for the removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Some of the placards read “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools”.
The chants and inscriptions reflected deep anger among the workers over what they described as a high handed approach to labour issues by the FCTA leadership. They insisted that the administration had failed to honour agreements reached in previous negotiations.
The NLC said its decision to support the strike was informed by the alleged refusal of the FCTA to respect workers’ rights and implement agreed welfare measures. According to the labour centre, the protest would continue until all outstanding demands are fully addressed.
Security personnel were deployed around the National Industrial Court to monitor the situation, as the workers marched peacefully within the premises while chanting solidarity songs.
As of the time of filing this report, the FCTA authorities had yet to issue an official response to the workers’ demands.
