Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says any striking FCTA worker that fails to resume work following a court order will face consequences.
Wike gave the warning on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after a court ordered the workers to call off their strike.
The minister said there must be consequences for disobeying a valid court order, warning that enforcement would begin from Wednesday.
“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people break the law flagrantly? I have given them a window but from tomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick,” he said.
“From tomorrow (Wednesday), if we see anybody who wants to block the gate, they will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”
Wike said the FCTA had shown willingness to engage with the workers, noting that discussions were held between labour representatives and management.
“We have been disposed to dialogue. They have met with management, so what are the issues? If genuinely they want dialogue, then we’ll talk,” Wike said.
“But if it’s on blackmail and intimidation, then we will not agree. If they like, they can hire all the civil servants in Abuja, it’s not my business.”
Background
FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week over “authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands”.
The strike has led to the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.
Subsequently, Wike sued the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) over the industrial action.
On Tuesday, a national industrial court in Abuja ordered the workers to suspend their ongoing strike.
Delivering the ruling, Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, held that although the matter before the court amounted to a trade dispute, the defendants’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.
He said once a dispute has been referred to the national industrial court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.
