BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday threw their weight behind workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), who are currently at loggerheads with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, urging them to defend their rights with courage and dignity.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the labour centres expressed solidarity with the striking workers, assuring them of full support as the industrial action continues.
The statement read in part: “We, the NLC and TUC, find it necessary to issue this joint statement in solidarity with the workers of the Federal Capital Territory who have been shabbily treated by the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and rubber-stamped by the National Industrial Court, Abuja, in a one-sided ruling intended to break the strike and reduce workers to perpetual servitude.
“As patently skewed as the ruling was, we had hoped that Mr Wike would seize the opportunity to reach out to organised labour for an amicable resolution of the issues. Instead, he has resorted boastfully to threats against workers.
“The offences committed against FCT workers are serious enough. Adding intimidation, humiliation, insults and harassment is something we cannot watch from the sidelines.
“Workers cannot be made slaves in their own country. We stand firmly for the rule of law and its strict observance, irrespective of the status of the parties involved in this dispute.”
The labour centres urged the workers to remain resolute, noting that the court order obtained by the FCT minister was directed at two individual union leaders and not against the striking unions.
“Accordingly, we not only support the workers in this action, we urge them to maintain high morale in the face of relentless threats. Happily, the order of interlocutory injunction obtained by Mr Wike was against two individual union leaders and not the trade unions. Therefore, the strike continues.
“Defend your rights with courage and dignity, not with fear.”
The NLC and TUC also cautioned the judiciary against actions capable of undermining public confidence in the justice system.
“While we commend honest judges who strive to give hope to the weak and the poor and protect the rights of citizens, we put on notice those judges whose conduct imperils our society that they cannot be insulated from the consequences of their actions.”
They insisted that the strike would continue until meaningful dialogue is initiated.
“Finally, this strike will continue until the Minister of the FCT comes down from his high horse and negotiates with the workers.
“Workers, keep fighting for your rights. It is safer to die on your feet than live on your knees.”
FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week over the authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands. The action has resulted in the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.
