The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) locked the secretariat entrance on Monday in compliance with the labour union’s infinite industrial action.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had on May 31 directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike from June 3.

According to the unions, the action was over the federal government’s failure to increase the N60,000 minimum wage it offered to workers and its refusal to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariffs.

JUAC president Rifkatu Lortyer said the committee’s decision to deny workers access to the Secretariat was in compliance with the NLC and TUC directives.

Mr Lortyer explained that JUAC, part of the labour unions, must fully enforce the strike.

“My advice to FCTA workers is simple: stay at home and be the obedient workers you’ve always been. The strike action is for the interest of the Nigerian workers,” she said.

During the May Day celebration, the labour unions issued the federal government an ultimatum to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage by May 31.

The TUC president, Festus Osifo, told journalists that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

Mr Osifo also said that the strike was imperative because the government refused to reverse the hike in the electricity tariff.

(NAN)