FCT primary school teachers suspend strike action
The primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have officially suspended their strike action.
It was reported that the union called for the strike on September 18, 2024, demanding the payment of the remaining 60 percent of the 25-month minimum wage arrears, as well as the implementation of the 40 percent peculiar allowance and other benefits for teachers across all six area councils.
READ ALSO: Teachers in FCT declare strike, point finger at Wike for inaction on demands
Addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting at the teachers house in Gwagwalada on Monday, the Chairman of the NUT in the FCT, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, said the decision to suspend the strike followed renewed commitment of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, towards the payment of the remaining 60 percent.
He said Wike had during the meeting with the leadership of the union directed the FCT treasury department to immediately use the area council chairmen’s 10 percent IGR accruals to pay the teachers.
According to him, the SWEC in session also considered the consistent and positive intervention of the minister’s commitment to look into other demands of the teachers to suspend the strike.
The union, however, appealed to the minister to kindly take necessary steps in ensuring the implementation of its members 40 percent peculiar allowance, N35,000 wage award and 25 percent and 35 percent upward salary review with immediate effect after the minimum wage arrears are settled.
He expressed dismay over pathetic situation of the primary school teachers welfare in the FCT as a result of the non-commitment of the management of the area councils to give teachers their entitlements despite the harsh economic realities in the country.
“To this end, the SWEC in session hereby appealed to all primary school teachers in the FCT to, with immediate effect from Tuesday, October, 8, 2024, return to their classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties as the union will continue to intensify efforts in ensuring the settlement of all the outstanding entitlements and the improvement of their welfare,” he said.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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