The Joint Union Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has enforced the indefinite strike directive by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress by locking the entrance of the secretariat.
The strike, which began on June 3, is a response to the Federal Government’s failure to increase the minimum wage and reverse the recent electricity tariff hike.
According to Vanguard, the President of JUAC, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer, told NAN in Abuja, on Monday, that the committee’s decision to deny workers access to the Secretariat was in compliance with the NLC and TUC directive.
Lortyer explained that JUAC, being part of the labour unions, has no choice but to fully enforce the strike.
“My advice to FCTA workers is simple: stay at home and be the obedient workers you’ve always been.
“The strike action is for the interest of the Nigerian workers,” she said.
The labour unions had during the May Day celebration issued the Federal Government an ultimatum to ensure that negotiation on a new national minimum wage was concluded by May 31.
The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told newsmen that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.
Osifo also said that the strike was imperative due to the refusal of the government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.
The NLC confirmed the nationwide strike after a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.
Inspite of appeals to call off the strike, labour leaders insist on proceeding due to unresolved minimum wage disputes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that the nationwide strike set for June 3 will proceed, following a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.
The meeting, which aimed to resolve the minimum wage dispute, ended without an agreement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas presided over the discussions, which also included high-ranking government officials such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
