Unpaid Entitlements: FCT Primary School Teachers Embark On Indefinite Strike
•By Our Reporter
ABUJA – Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced an indefinite strike, protesting the non-payment of outstanding entitlements and other unresolved industrial matters.
The teachers, under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing, resumed the suspended strike as of Wednesday, following a resolution by the union’s leadership.
In a communiqué signed by the State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, at the end of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, the union directed all public primary schools in the FCT to remain closed until their demands are met.
The NUT expressed displeasure over the failure of the Council Chairmen to address the issues raised during a 14-day ultimatum issued earlier.
Among the demands are the payment of the remaining 60% of 25 months’ minimum wage arrears, the implementation of salary increases, and the correct payment of entitlements agreed upon in 2022.
In response, the Secretary of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr. Hassan Sule, appealed to the union to suspend the strike, emphasizing that discussions with the leadership of the six Area Councils are ongoing.
Sule revealed that talks with the FCT Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman were progressing, and efforts were being made to compute the outstanding payments.
He added that a meeting is expected to take place on Friday to address the situation. However, the NUT remains firm in its position until all demands are fully met.
•INDEPENDENTNG.