The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, have described the no-work, no-pay directive issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as illegal, insisting that the government should address workers’ grievances through dialogue.
The dispute is linked to an ongoing strike by organised labour in the FCT over unresolved issues affecting teachers’ welfare, promotion exercises and the treatment of education directors.
The unions have maintained that the industrial action is aimed at securing better working conditions and resolving outstanding labour concerns.
Among their demands are the removal of the vacancy clause affecting teachers’ promotions, the conduct of the 2025 promotion exercise and the reinstatement of directors allegedly demoted despite provisions of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
Wike had directed relevant authorities to enforce the no-work, no-pay policy against workers participating in the strike. The directive also included monitoring attendance in public schools and government offices.
However, labour leaders have opposed the move, maintaining that workers should not be intimidated for participating in an industrial action over unresolved disputes.
The unions have urged their members to remain united while calling on the FCT Administration to engage labour representatives in meaningful negotiations.
The disagreement has heightened tensions between the government and organised labour, with the strike raising concerns about the disruption of academic activities in public schools across the Federal Capital Territory.
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