Primary School Teachers In FCT Resume Suspended Strike Over Minimum Wage Arrears

By Ayodele Oni

For non payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), wing has called out its members for an indefinite strike starting from Monday.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) which held at the Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

“The SWSC-In-Session equally resolved that if the outstanding demands of the primary school teachers are not paid before Friday, 19th January, 2024, all secondary school teachers in FCT will join in Solidarity with effect from Monday, 22nd January, 2024.

“The Union hereby directs all FCT primary school teachers to resume the suspended strike action with effect from Monday, 15th January, 2024 till further notice.

The NUT in the communique jointly signed by Abdullahi Shafas, Margaret Jethro and Ibukun Adekeye, State Chairman, Secretary and Publicity Secretary respectively, advised parents not to allow their wards come to school.

Part of the communique reads; “The Primary School Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory FCT embarked on indefinite strike action on the 11th September, 2023 to press home demands for the implementation of 40% Peculiar Allowance and payment of 25 months Minimum Wage Arrears amongst other arrears.

“Following the assurances of the Honourable Minister of FCT’s intervention in resolving the issues, the Union suspended the strike action for six weeks to honour the Minister and to give him ample time for the resolution of the issues.

“The Union is worried that the six weeks given expired on November, 7th 2023, the Committee put in place to look into the issues has also completed its work but nothing positive has taken place.

“We are concerned that series of meetings have taken place, but the primary schools teachers remain in a pathetic situation and continue to bear the brunt of the high cost of living attributable to the removal of fuel subsidies without succour from anywhere.

“Saddened by the suffering of the Teachers and the unwillingness of the Area Council Chairmen to pay the Teachers these aforementioned entitlements, including the delay in the Honourable Minister’s intervention, the State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC)-in-Session has no other option than to direct all Primary School Teachers in FCT to resume the suspended Strike to further press home their demands. The strike will take effect from Monday, 15th January, 2024.

“Parents are advised to keep their children and wards in Primary Schools safe at home.”