The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, have dismissed Nyesom Wike’s threat to enforce the no-work, no-pay policy against striking workers. Mr Knabayi Adalo, Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, and Mrs Margaret Jethro, Secretary of the NUT FCT Wing, recently had their say in separate circulars to members.
Describing the directive as unconstitutional, illegal and unenforceable, Adalo urged affected workers and teachers to remain steadfast and disregard threats of salary stoppage or attendance monitoring.
Reassuring workers across the FCT, he added that strike action remains a legitimate tool recognised under Nigerian law and international labour standards.
His words, “Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Trade Unions Act, and ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 151, all ratified by Nigeria, guarantee workers’ right to embark on strike after due process.
The NLC FCT has fulfilled all legal conditions.
Another issue is the demotion of directors who are legitimate beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
Participation in a union-declared strike is lawful industrial action, not absenteeism.
Workers facing queries, threats or harassment are instructed to report immediately to the NLC FCT Council Secretariat with evidence.
We assure all teachers and workers that the NLC will protect your jobs and salaries. No worker will be victimised.”
Jethro added, “We urge you not to panic, not to be intimidated and not to sign any attendance register.
Shun the threat; the ongoing strike is legal and constitutionally guaranteed.
Our demands are genuine and not political, as is being insinuated. We are asking for our welfare, not for power.
We urge you to remain peaceful and law-abiding while you stay at home.”
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