The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have directed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resume work immediately, bringing an end to weeks of industrial action in Abuja.
The decision followed an overnight meeting between the leadership of organised labour, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Senate Committee on the FCT. The meeting began on Monday night and concluded in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the unions said all grievances raised by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) were fully addressed during the engagement.
According to the statement, it was agreed that all cases relating to the dispute currently before the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn without delay.
“The honourable Minister assured organised labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward,” the unions said.
They also secured assurances that no worker would face victimisation as a result of participating in the strike.
“Arising from the strike action, no worker shall be victimised in any manner,” the statement added.
“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 unions urged their affiliates to comply strictly with the directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
The statement was jointly signed by Nuru Toro, Secretary-General of the TUC, and Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC.
The development comes a day after the National Industrial Court in Abuja restrained the NLC and TUC from proceeding with a protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 3. The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim following an ex parte application filed by the FCT minister and the FCTA.
FCTA workers had embarked on an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved labour and welfare issues, leading to the shutdown of activities across ministries, departments and agencies under the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Although the court had earlier ordered the suspension of the strike on January 27, organised labour initially directed workers to remain at home. Tuesday’s agreement now formally brings the dispute to an end.
