FCT Labour Unions Call Off Strike, Workers Told To Resume Immediately

According to Ireporter Online, labour unions under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have ordered their members and affiliates working within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately resume work, bringing an end to a prolonged industrial dispute.

The directive was issued in a joint circular on Tuesday, signed by TUC Secretary General N.A. Toro and NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah. The circular stated, “All JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT) are hereby directed to resume work immediately. All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.”

The resolution followed an extended conciliatory meeting between the unions and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, reportedly facilitated by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi. The discussions ended the industrial action initiated by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which had disrupted operations at the FCTA secretariat since January 19.

According to the unions, all grievances were “fully addressed to the satisfaction of all parties involved,” with Wike assuring organised labour of “mutual respect and sustained engagement” to foster harmony in the civil service. Key resolutions include a guarantee that no worker will face victimisation for participating in the strike, the immediate withdrawal of all pending cases at the National Industrial Court related to the dispute, and a commitment to ongoing dialogue between organised labour and the FCTA.

The industrial action stemmed from several concerns, including non-remittance of statutory deductions such as pensions and housing fund contributions, delayed payment of promotion arrears, and failure to conduct promotion exercises, as well as the continued service of retired directors and permanent staff.

The resolution came a day after the National Industrial Court (NIC) issued an interim order restraining the NLC, TUC, and other parties from further strikes or protests. Justice Emmanuel Sublim, ruling on an ex parte application filed by FCTA and Minister Wike, directed respondents and their agents to suspend all planned industrial action pending further hearings, while security agencies were instructed to maintain law and order.