Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the Joint Union Action Committee, resumed their indefinite strike on Thursday over unresolved welfare issues.

Only a few workers were seen around the FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies, compared to the massive turnout on Wednesday.

The development complied with the JUAC directive for workers to stay at home.

The action followed the National Industrial Court’s January 27 ruling, which directed the workers to suspend the strike and adjourned the matter to March 23.

The union filed an appeal against the industrial court’s decision through its lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN.

Following the ruling, Nancy Nathan, acting head of the FCTA’s civil service, had directed all FCT workers to resume work on Wednesday.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike equally warned that there would be consequences for any worker who refused to resume.

Mr Wike assured the workers that the FCTA was open to reasonable negotiation, adding, however, that the majority of their demands had been addressed.

However, consequent on the appeal of the industrial court ruling, the secretary of JUAC, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular on Wednesday, told the workers that the strike would continue from Thursday.

He encouraged the workers to stay at home and pray for the success of the strike, stressing that the struggle demands unity, discipline and unwavering commitment.

He recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had, in a joint communique issued on January 28, asked the FCT workers to defend their rights with courage and dignity.

The labour unions argued that the order of interlocutory injunction obtained by Mr Wike and the FCTA was against the president of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Mr Saleh, and not the trade unions.

In a communique signed by NLC acting general secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC secretary general, Nuhu Toro, the unions insisted that the strike would continue until Mr Wike negotiates with the FCT workers.

(NAN)