The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to remain resolute and united despite an order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing the suspension of their ongoing strike.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja following the court’s ruling in a suit involving the FCT Administration and organised labour. The congress said the decision failed to address the substantive issues that prompted the industrial action.
In a statement, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, said the strike was triggered by unresolved welfare concerns, including the alleged failure of the FCT Administration to remit statutory workers’ deductions.
Mr. Upah explained that while the court ordered the suspension of the strike, it did not grant any injunctive relief in favour of the workers. He added that the matter was adjourned to March 25, 2026, for further hearing, a development the congress said leaves workers without any immediate protection.
According to him, the NLC was dissatisfied with the ruling, which it described as inadequate. He noted that the court did not address allegations of non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions by the FCT Administration.
Mr. Upah said the NHF Act clearly stipulates that employers who fail to remit such deductions within one month are liable to fines and possible imprisonment.
He also cited the Pension Reform Act, 2014, which mandates that pension contributions must be remitted within seven working days after salaries are paid.
Mr. Upah said failure to comply with the law attracts penalties, including the payment of interest into affected workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts, stressing that these issues were raised before the court but were not addressed in its ruling.
The NLC further expressed concern over what it described as other alleged violations by the FCT Administration that were ignored by the court, as well as the long adjournment of the case without any interim relief for workers. The congress said this development leaves workers exposed while the matter drags on in court.
Mr. Upah also alleged that shortly after the ruling, the Minister of the FCT issued threats of dismissal to workers, a move the NLC described as unacceptable.
He urged FCT workers to remain calm but steadfast, assuring them that the congress would continue to pursue their demands and protect their rights through lawful and constitutional means.
