In Abuja, on Friday, workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration received their January salaries and part of the wage award arrears, according to Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, amid plans by the Nigeria Labour Congress to stage a protest on Tuesday.
Olayinka, who serves as Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, said the payment was made last week and included one month out of the five months’ wage award owed to the workers. He explained that two months of the arrears have now been paid, while the remaining three months will be settled alongside salaries for February, March and April.
He questioned the reason behind the planned protest, stating that FCTA workers, on whose behalf the action is being organised, have continued to report for duty and are not on strike. He added that the workers were present at work throughout the previous week and would also resume duties as scheduled.
Olayinka further stated that several states have either stopped paying the wage award or failed to implement it entirely, yet no similar action has been taken against them. He argued that it was unfair for the FCT, which has already paid part of the arrears and continued salary payments, to be singled out.
He maintained that the situation raises questions about the motive behind the protest and said the labour union would eventually need to clearly state what its demands are from the FCT authorities.