Workers in the Federal Capital Territory
Administration (FCTA) have been directed to resume work immediately following a
breakthrough agreement between organised labour and the FCT Minister, Nyesom
Wike.
The directive was issued in a joint circular released
on Tuesday by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress
(NLC) after a lengthy conciliatory meeting with the minister.
“Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of
the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT are hereby directed to
resume work immediately,” the circular stated.
The document, signed by TUC Secretary General, N.A.
Toro, and NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, urged all affiliates to
comply with the directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
According to the unions, the meeting was facilitated
by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Mohammed Bomoi, and
successfully addressed the issues that had disrupted activities at the FCTA
Secretariat since January 19.
Labour leaders said all grievances raised by the Joint
Union Action Committee (JUAC) were resolved to the satisfaction of all parties,
with Wike assuring workers of continued engagement and mutual respect to ensure
a stable working relationship.
Key resolutions reached include an agreement that no
worker will be penalised for participating in the industrial action, and that
all pending cases related to the dispute at the National Industrial Court (NIC)
will be withdrawn.
The industrial action was triggered by complaints over
non-remittance of statutory deductions such as pensions and National Housing
Fund contributions, delays in payment of promotion arrears, and concerns
surrounding the promotion exercise.
The strike led to a shutdown of several departments
and agencies within the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority
(FCDA), prompting the FCT Minister to seek legal intervention.
On January 27, the National Industrial Court ordered
the workers to suspend the strike, ruling that while the matter qualified as a
trade dispute, the right to strike was not absolute once the case had been
brought before the court.
Despite the ruling, labour unions initially directed
workers to continue the action.
On Monday, the NIC further issued an interim order
restraining the NLC, TUC and other parties from embarking on a planned protest
scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim granted the order following an
ex parte application filed by Wike and the FCTA, directing security agencies to
prevent any breakdown of law and order pending the hearing of the motion on
notice.
With the latest agreement, normal activities are
expected to resume across FCTA offices and agencies.
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