R
Richard Ogunsile
Guest
The primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have decided to suspend their strike action.
It is worth noting that the union had instructed Local Education Authority (LEA) primary teachers across the six area councils to initiate a strike on September 18, 2024, due to the non-payment of 60 per cent of the 25 months’ minimum wage arrears, the lack of implementation/payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, and other outstanding benefits.
However, the Chairman of the NUT in the FCT, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, announced the suspension of the strike on Monday.
During a press briefing following an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held at the teachers’ house in Gwagwalada today, Shafas noted that the union decided to suspend the strike following the renewed commitment shown by the FCT Minister, Nysome Wike, regarding the payment of the outstanding 60 per cent.
He noted that Wike had instructed the FCT treasury department during a meeting with the union’s leadership to utilize the area council chairmen’s 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to facilitate the payment to the teachers.
Furthermore, the SWEC acknowledged the minister’s consistent and positive engagement in addressing other demands of the teachers, which contributed to the decision to suspend the strike.
The union, however, urged the minister to take prompt action to ensure the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award, and the proposed 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, to be enacted immediately after the settlement of the minimum wage arrears.
He expressed concern over the dire situation regarding the welfare of primary school teachers in the FCT, attributing it to the lack of commitment from the area council management to fulfil the teachers’ entitlements, especially in light of the challenging economic conditions 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.
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