The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been plunged into chaos as workers in the territory have embarked on an indefinite strike beginning from December 1, 2024. The strike, which was directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council, is a result of the non-payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to workers in the territory.
The crisis began when the Federal Government announced the approval of a new national minimum wage of N70,000. The announcement was made in October 2024, and it was expected that all state and local governments would implement the new wage structure.
However, the Area Council Chairmen in the FCT failed to implement the new minimum wage, despite receiving a memorandum from the NLC. The memorandum which was issued on November 14, 2024, demanded that the Area Council Chairmen implement the N70,000 minimum wage.
"The SEC (state executive council) also noted with deep frustration and persistent delay and outright refusal by the six area council chairmen to pay some pending entitlements to the workers including the outstanding arrears of the primary school teachers in their respective area councils.”
“Therefore, all the workers in the six area councils of the FCT are hereby issued a matching order without hesitation to proceed on an indefinite strike action begining from first December, 1, 2024, until further directives are issued,” the NLC chairman said.
The workers in the FCT are demanding the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. They are also demanding the payment of outstanding arrears of primary school teachers in the respective Area Councils.
The workers are also demanding improved working conditions, including the provision of adequate infrastructure and equipment. They are also demanding the payment of promotion arrears and other entitlements.
The FCT Administration has reacted to the strike action, calling on the workers to suspend the strike and return to work. The Administration has promised to address the grievances of the workers and to implement the N70,000 minimum wage.
However, the workers have rejected the plea of the FCT Administration, insisting that they will not suspend the strike until their demands are met.
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