The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) barricaded the Secretariat entrance on Monday, aligning with the indefinite industrial action declared by the labor unions.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had, as of May 31, instructed their members to commence an indefinite strike from June 3.
Citing the Federal Government’s failure to increase the proposed N60,000 minimum wage for workers and its refusal to retract the recent electricity tariff hike, the unions deemed the strike necessary.
Mrs. Rifkatu Lortyer, President of JUAC, informed NAN in Abuja that the committee’s decision to block access to the Secretariat was in adherence to the directives from NLC and TUC.
Lortyer clarified that as part of the labor unions, JUAC had no alternative but to fully implement the strike.
She advised FCTA workers to remain at home, emphasizing the importance of supporting the strike action for the welfare of Nigerian workers.
During the May Day celebration, labor unions set a deadline for the Federal Government to finalize negotiations on a new national minimum wage by May 31.
Festus Osifo, TUC President, informed the press that the strike became inevitable as the government refused to increase the proposed N60,000 wage during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage held on Friday.
Osifo underscored that the strike was crucial due to the government’s persistence in maintaining the increased electricity tariffs.