Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) received their January salaries last Friday, alongside the payment of one month out of the five months’ arrears owed under the Wage Award, officials have confirmed.
With the latest disbursement, a total of two months of the Wage Award arrears have now been settled by the FCTA. According to officials, the remaining three months are scheduled to be paid concurrently with workers’ salaries for February, March and April.
Despite this development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is mobilising workers in other sectors for a protest slated for Tuesday. The planned protest is reportedly linked to labour grievances, including wage-related issues, although some officials within the FCTA have questioned its justification, particularly as it concerns FCTA workers.
Sources within the administration disclosed that FCTA workers, on whose behalf the NLC is organising the protest, were fully present at their duty posts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. They are also expected to resume work as normal on Monday, indicating that there has been no disruption of official activities within the FCT administration.
The sources further noted that while more than 20 states across the country have either suspended payment of the Wage Award or failed to implement it altogether, the Federal Capital Territory has continued to meet its obligations. They pointed out that the FCTA has not only sustained the Wage Award payments but has also made progress in clearing outstanding arrears.
Some officials have therefore called on the NLC to clearly outline its specific demands from the Federal Capital Territory Administration, stressing that transparency and constructive engagement would help avoid unnecessary tension.
They argued that the continued payment of salaries and arrears by the FCTA demonstrates a level of commitment to workers’ welfare that should be acknowledged, even as broader national labour concerns are being addressed.
As discussions continue, attention is now focused on whether the planned protest will proceed as scheduled and how it may affect industrial relations within the Federal Capital Territory.
Why should workers have to wait for protests to receive their deserved wages? Unfair treatment!
I think its great they got their salaries and arrears, but should they really be protesting now? #MixedFeelings #NLCProtest
I think its unfair for workers to have to wait for their salaries and arrears amidst planned protests. They deserve better treatment.
I think its great that the FCTA workers are finally getting their salaries and arrears. About time!
Is it fair for FCTA workers to receive only one month wage arrears amid planned NLC protest? Lets discuss.
I dont think the workers should protest. They got their salaries and arrears. Lets be grateful and move on.