FCT Labour Strike Enters Day 11 As Wage Negotiations Stall
The ongoing strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reached its 11th day, with negotiations between labour unions and Area Council Chairmen deadlocked. The primary contention revolves around the implementation timeline for the N70,000 minimum wage.
According to Abdullahi Kabir, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the FCT, the Area Council Chairmen have proposed implementing the new wage structure in January 2025. However, the unions are demanding it take effect from December 2024 to reduce the arrears backlog.
“As I’m talking to you now, there is a discussion ongoing with the Area Council Chairmen,” Kabir stated on Tuesday. “They are appealing that we should leave the issue of implementation till January. Meanwhile, the union is saying that the implementation should start in December.”
Kabir emphasized that a January implementation would increase wage arrears to five months, compared to four months if initiated in December.
Broader Worker Grievances
Beyond the minimum wage, Kabir outlined other pressing issues, including disparities in allowances between local government employees and FCTA staff. He lamented the delay in implementing the 25% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) allowances, as well as outstanding wage awards.
“It is not only the issue of minimum wage we are talking about in the FCT,” Kabir explained. “The FCTA has gotten their own peculiar allowances; we go to the same market and pay the same rent. But local government workers have been left out. There is 25% CONHESS and CONMESS, and the wage award—all these allowances have not been given to us.”
Kabir also highlighted the unique administrative structure of the FCT, noting that the FCT Minister functions as a stand-in for President Bola Tinubu, who is regarded as the de facto Governor of the territory.
“The FCT is different from other states,” Kabir stated. “The FCT Minister stands in for President Bola Tinubu, who is the Governor of the FCT. We are supposed to benefit from all these allowances.”
Strike to Continue Until Further Notice
Kabir reiterated that the strike would persist until the NLC issues a counter-directive or a mutually acceptable agreement is reached.
“The strike has not ended until the NLC calls us and says this is the MoU or the agreement,” he affirmed.
Efforts to reach Stephen Knabayi, the FCT Council Chairman of the NLC, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of this report.
As the strike continues to cripple activities in the FCT, residents and workers await a resolution that addresses both the immediate demands and the broader concerns of local government employees.
