Socialist Labour expresses its unwavering and solidarity with the teachers, workers, and trade unions of the Federal Capital Territory under the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (FCT Council) in their just struggle against the continued denial of workers’ rights and dignity.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with FCT teachers in their demand for the immediate removal of the unjust vacancy-based promotion policy, the restoration of promotion opportunities for all eligible teachers, and the reversal of all demotions and punitive actions taken against education workers. These demands are not privileges. They are matters of justice, fairness, and respect for labour.
The treatment being meted out to teachers in the FCT represents a direct attack on the rights of workers and an assault on public education itself. No society can claim to value education while subjecting teachers to discriminatory policies, career stagnation, and administrative victimization. Workers who dedicate their lives to educating future generations deserve respect, recognition, and fair advancement, not punishment and intimidation.
Socialist Labour condemns the “No Work, No Pay” threat and rejects all attempts to undermine or intimidate workers exercising their collective rights. The threats directed at striking workers and the effort to weaken their resolve through coercive measures cannot resolve this dispute. Lasting industrial peace can only be achieved through justice, dialogue, and the full implementation of workers’ legitimate demands.
The general strike should be more active to be victorious. If the workers stay at home alone, they may become demoralised with the lack of encouraging media coverage. The NLC and NUT needs to organise meetings, street protests, pickets etc several times a week. We need an active strike to maintain pressure on Wike. The striking workers will have more enthusiasm when they are coming together.
We commend the courage, discipline, and determination demonstrated by the teachers and workers who have remained united in the face of pressure. History teaches us that every major gain achieved by working people has been won through collective struggle, solidarity, and sacrifice. The labour movement remains strongest when workers refuse to be divided and insist on defending their common interests.
We therefore call on all trade unionists, civil society organisations, democratic forces, students, parents, and all progressive people to clearly stand in solidarity with the striking workers of the FCT. Their struggle is not an isolated one. It is part of the broader struggle for workers’ rights, social justice, decent working conditions, and quality public education for all.
We reaffirm our complete support for the FCT general strike and declare that the labour movement must remain united until justice is achieved.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
Solidarity Forever!
Comrade Abiodun Olamosu
General Secretary, Socialist labour