Strike: FCTA Workers To Resume As Wike, Labour Reach Truce
The leadership of organised labour and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have reached a truce over the ongoing dispute that has affected activities in the nation’s capital in recent days.
The two parties, after a marathon meeting convened by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Mohammed Bomoi, which lasted for more than three hours, agreed to sheathe their swords.
As reported by Daily Trust, the meeting, which started a few minutes before 12:00 am, ended at about 3:50 am on Tuesday. In attendance were Wike, the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, respectively.
The scribes of both labour centres, as well as other key stakeholders, were also present.
It would be recalled that the organised labour, comprising the two labour centres, had on Monday insisted that there would be no going back on the planned massive protest to press home the demands of FCTA workers.
Police authorities in the FCT had earlier cautioned the movement to reschedule its action in the “interest of safety.”
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, explained that it was agreed that, arising from the strike action, no worker shall be victimised in any manner.
Upah, who was flanked by the General Secretary of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and other labour leaders, also disclosed that all outstanding cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn immediately.
He added, “All affiliates are hereby informed that a conciliatory meeting was held between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi.
“At the conclusion of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached: All complaints presented by JUAC members were taken one after the other and fully addressed.
“The Honourable Minister assured organised labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward.”
He, however, announced that all workers in the FCT had been directed to resume duties immediately.
“Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT) are hereby directed to resume work immediately.
“All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, in good faith.”
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
