Respect Worker's Rights, Refrain from intimidation,CDHR To FCT Authority As Civil Servants Protest

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR today urged the Authority of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT to respect these rights of workers and refrain from any form of intimidation or repression just as it backed the recent protests by the workers demanding the protection of their welfare, dignity, and fundamental inalienable labour rights.

This is contained in a statement by Debo Adeniran and Comrade Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe, CDHR's National President and National Publicity Secretary respectively. 

According to the Statement,"The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights stands firmly with FCT workers in their legitimate struggle for justice, fairness, and dignity."

It reaffirmed that the right to peaceful protest and industrial action is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant international human rights instruments. 

"We urge FCTA authority to respect these rights and refrain from any form of 
intimidation or repression of workers."

The CDHR also called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to Immediately open sincere and transparent dialogue with workers' unions, address all outstanding welfare, promotion, and remuneration issues without further delay. 

"Ensure the immediate remittance of pensions and all statutory deductions into appropriate accounts. Fully implement all approved wage awards and honour previous agreements reached with workers without further delay."

The CDHR said, "The ongoing strike Is as a result of the continued and deliberate failure of the the FCTA authorities to meaningfully respond to long-standing grievances raised by workers and their unions, despite of several engagements, protests, and the issuance of a seven-day ultimatum which recently elapsed, but the FCTA authority callously ignored them."

"Also, we are seriously disturbed by reports surrounding the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission, which workers have described as deeply flawed, poorly managed, and marred by technical failures. The alleged mass failure of candidates raises 
serious questions about the institution's transparency, fairness, and respect for the right of workers to career growth.

"Equally, the allegations of non-remittance of pension contributions,National Housing Fund deductions, and delays in the payment of approved wage awards cast more suspicion on the integrity of the FCTA authority. 

"These actions constitute grave violations of workers socioeconomic rights and expose workers to long-term hardship and insecurity".

It condemned the FCT leadership's alleged refusal to dialogue with labour unions over the matter.