Thu Sep 19 06:26:58 UTC 2024: ## FCT Teachers Embark on Strike Over Unpaid Wages and Benefits
**Abuja, Nigeria -** Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resumed their industrial action, shutting down all public primary schools in the territory, over unresolved salary and welfare issues with the six area councils.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) announced the strike in a communique on Wednesday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the area councils to address the outstanding payments. The strike is a continuation of earlier actions suspended in October 2023 and January 2024.
The union cited several unresolved issues, including:
* Non-payment of 60% of the 25-month-old minimum wage arrears.
* Non-implementation and payment of 25% and 35% salary increases.
* Non-implementation and payment of 40% peculiar allowance.
* Non-payment of N35,000 wage award arrears.
* Non-implementation of the agreed template on outstanding entitlements of teachers from 2022.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had previously intervened and pledged to pay 40% of the outstanding minimum wage arrears, leading to the suspension of the strike in January. However, the area councils have failed to pay the remaining 60%, prompting the teachers to resume their strike action.
The acting Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr Hassan Sule, has appealed to the NUT to suspend the strike, stating that discussions with the area councils’ chairmen are ongoing to resolve the issues.
Parents have been advised to keep their children at home until the union’s demands are met. The NUT urged teachers to remain calm and follow only its directives.
First Piper 