FG Averts Construction Workers’ Strike, Reach Agreement

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCEFWW) and Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) yesterday called off its nationwide strike after a resolution was reached at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Emameh Gabriel, said the decision followed a crucial two-day meeting at the instance of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment,  Nkeriuka Onyejeocha.

He said the meeting was between NUCECFWW), CCESSA) and their employers as well as the Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI).

The unions, representing thousands of workers in the construction industry, began its strike last Tuesday.

They had in January threatened strike over the non-implementation of wage awards and palliatives following the removal of fuel subsidies. 

They had also accused their employers of refusing to implement wage award for workers in the construction industry in line with the agreement between the federal government and the organised labour.

However, after extensive deliberations facilitated by the minister, an agreement was reached to address the workers’ concerns.

Highlighting the government’s prioritisation of employee welfare, the minister urged the negotiating parties to consider its relevant concerns during their discussion on wage consideration.

He said: “There was an existing agreement to improve the lives of Nigerian workers. This economic hardship affects everyone, regardless of affiliation. No sensible person would ignore the current economic challenge and its impact on wages.

“That was why the government proposed a temporary wage award while we finalise the minimum wage review, and as responsible leaders, we must ensure resources are used wisely, not wasted.

“This is about doing what’s right for Nigeria. Let’s move forward with willingness to negotiate and find a solution that benefits everyone

“We are not here to win an argument. Our aim is to do what is right for Nigerians and our country. The readiness to negotiate and move forward. We cannot as government allow anyone to spend our people instead of spending money.”

On their part, the delegations of NUCEFWW and CCESSA led by Stephen Igho Okaro (president) and Ajayi Adeyemo (president) respectively, maintained that the Nigerian workers are Nigerians and the Nigerian law is binding on all workers.

“On this wage award, we are on the side of the federal government, not the discrimination initiated by NECA to cut us off. We will not let this federal government that remembered us down. We are standing by the agreement reached between the organised labour and the government because the MoU is binding on NECA and all of us.

“We are going to be part of the change in this government, and we will join the government in redeeming the condition of Nigerian workers against our oppressors who are our employers,” the delegation noted.

On their part, the FOCI leadership appealed for calm, saying though they were not captured in the agreement between the federal government and organised labour, they were ready to negotiate on new wage terms.

Key points of the agreement signed by the parties included “The issues of wage awards, palliatives, and the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement.”

 The negotiations will be expedited and concluded within 21 days by February 27, 2024, the parties agreed.

The agreement also stated that no worker would face any repercussions for participating in the planned industrial action.