Stay away from work, be used as scapegoat – Wike to FCTA workers after Court order

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resume work immediately or face disciplinary action.

Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja, shortly after the National Industrial Court ordered the striking workers to suspend their industrial action and return to work.

According to the minister, any FCTA worker who fails to report for duty from Wednesday, January 28, will be sanctioned in line with extant rules.

“From tomorrow, if you don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick. And if anybody attempts to block the gate or disrupt activities, we will make you a scapegoat. The law must take its course,” Wike warned.

The minister said the FCT Administration had engaged the unions extensively and that most of their demands had already been addressed.

He disclosed that meetings had been held with labour leaders where workers’ grievances were discussed and documented, adding that security agencies and FCT officials had also made efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

“There is more to this issue than what is being claimed. If workers made 14 demands and the government has addressed 10 of them, what then is the real problem?” Wike asked.

FCTA workers embarked on an indefinite strike last week, citing the authorities’ alleged failure to address long-standing labour and welfare concerns. The action paralysed activities across major government offices within the nation’s capital.

In response, the FCT Minister instituted legal action against the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) over the strike.

On Tuesday, the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered the workers to immediately call off the strike and resume work.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Emmanuel Subilim held that although the matter constituted a trade dispute, the workers’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

The court ruled that once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.

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