Construction Workers Threaten Strike Over Sacking of 30,000 Workers

The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) and the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) have issued a strike threat, citing the mass layoffs in the construction sector. These unions, affiliated with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress, represent both senior and junior staff in the industry.

At a news conference on Friday in Abuja, Ayodeji Adeyemo, National President of CCESSA, and Stephen Okoro, President of NUCECFWW, highlighted the severe impact of recent job cuts. Adeyemo noted that the construction industry is Nigeria’s second-largest employer after the government, yet it is facing a crisis due to widespread layoffs.

“Over 30,000 workers have lost their jobs, and about 52,000 more could follow if the situation is not addressed,” said Adeyemo. He warned that major road projects could halt if the layoffs continue. Key projects at risk include those managed by prominent construction firms like RCC, Setraco, Julius Berger, and Dantata and Sawoe, including the Obajana Road, Abuja-Kano Road, Bodo-Bonny Road, East-West Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Zaria-Sokoto Road, and Edo-Auchi Road.

Adeyemo criticized the sackings, highlighting their potential to exacerbate Nigeria’s insecurity by increasing unemployment among those with dependents.

The unions also expressed concern over a dispute between the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) and the Minister of Works, which has slowed down the industry. This conflict arises from the Minister’s unilateral imposition of new contract conditions, which contradict the Bureau of Public Procurement’s (BPP) approved standards.

Adeyemo called for a resolution to the conflict and a bailout for the distressed sector. He urged the federal government to involve all relevant stakeholders, including the BPP, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works, Council for Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), and FOCI, to resolve the issues within 21 days. Failure to do so, he warned, would lead to industrial action by the unions.

Additionally, the unions called for an end to the rampant banditry, kidnappings, and killings in the country, urging security agencies to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.