Unpaid Arrears: FCT Primary Schools To Commence Indefinite Strike On Monday  

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) wing, has directed all FCT primary school teachers to commence an indefinite strike starting Monday, January 15, 2024, to press home demands for the implementation of 40 per cent peculiar allowance and payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears amongst other arrears.

The directive was issued on Friday in a communique jointly signed by the chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Shafas; Secretary, Comrade Margaret Jethro, and Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, at the end of an emergency state wing standing committee meeting held in Gwagwalada area council of Abuja.

According to the communique, the primary school teachers in the FCT had embarked on indefinite strike action on September 11, 2023, to press home demands for the implementation of a 40% peculiar allowance and payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears, among other arrears.

Following assurances of the Minister of FCT’s intervention in resolving the issues, the union decided to suspend the strike action for six weeks to honour the minister, Nyesom Wike, and give him ample time for the resolution of the issues.

However, the union expressed concern that the six weeks given had expired on November 7, 2023, and despite the completion of the committee’s work, nothing positive had taken place.

“We are concerned that a series of meetings have taken place, but the primary school 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,” they stated.

The union expressed sadness over 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 FCT 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 her demands.

“The strike will take effect from Monday, January 15, 2024. The SWSC-In-Session equally resolved that if the outstanding demands of the primary school teachers are not paid before Friday, January 19, 2024, all secondary school teachers in FCT will join in Solidarity with effect from Monday, January 22, 2024, an injury to one is an injury to all.

“The union hereby directs all FCT primary school teachers to resume the suspended strike action with effect from Monday, January 15, 2024, till further notice. Parents are advised to keep their children and wards in primary schools safe at home,” the communique stated.