Construction workers in Nigeria are on the brink of a major dispute, as they have issued a warning of a three-day strike due to the non-implementation of the wage award for workers in the construction industry. The workers, represented by the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) and Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), made this declaration at a joint news conference in Abuja.
The national presidents of NUCECFWW and CCESSA, Mr. Stephen Okoro and Comrade Ayodeji Adeyemo, warned that if their demands are not met after the warning strike, an indefinite strike action would follow. They accused the Construction Civil Engineering Employers Association of Nigeria (CCEAN) of hindering the unions’ efforts to implement the wage award, which was agreed upon between the Federal Government and organized labor.

The unions highlighted their attempts to engage in discussions with the Employers Association, dating back to March 2023 when they requested a meeting to address the economic hardships faced by construction workers. However, their requests were denied, with the Employers Association citing ongoing discussions between the Federal Government and organized labor. Subsequent efforts to convene meetings with the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) were also rebuffed, ultimately leading to the issuance of a strike notice.

Despite interventions by the Ministry of Labour, where the parties were advised to reach a consensus on the wage award, the employers in the construction industry remained unyielding. The unions emphasized that their attempts to engage in dialogue were met with resistance, with employers opting for a confrontational stance. As a result, NUCECFWW and CCESSA have taken a firm stand, vowing to resort to industrial action if their demands continue to be disregarded.

The looming threat of a strike in Nigeria’s construction industry underscores the growing tensions and unresolved issues surrounding fair wages and labor rights. As the situation escalates, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached to avert a potentially disruptive strike that could impact the nation’s construction sector and beyond. The fate of the workers and the outcome of their standoff with the employers hang in the balance, with ramifications that extend far beyond the construction sites of Nigeria.