By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the order of the National Industrial Court can not break the ongoing strike declared by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
It also alleged improper that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for threatening to sack workers less than two hours after the court made its pronouncement.
Recall, a National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja had earlier on Tuesday ordered the striking workers to resume work immediately despite their demands unmet.
Speaking of the development, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, wondered why the Court did not consider “injustice meted out on the workers by the Minister”.
Upah listed non-remittance of National Housing Fund deductions of the workers to the appropriate authorities as stipulated by the NHF Act as well as non-remittance of pension deductions in line with the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended).
“If the intention of the court is to break the strike as well as weaken the resolve of the injured workers, then it is mistaken! Our hearts can never be broken and workers are urged to remain resolute in their convictions,” he said.
The labour leader also said the Congress has put on notice, all institutions or organisations or individuals violating the provisions of the Pension Fund Act and National Housing Fund Act for a serious engagement.
He added, “We are dismayed by the ruling of the National Industrial Court today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in the matter between the Minister of FCT/FCTA versus workers or employees of FCT.
“The court ruled as follows: Suspension of the strike action; and Adjournment of the matter to March 25, 2026.
“While we are acutely aware of the well-worn axiom that decisions of the court must not and can not please all parties to a dispute, we are equally conscious of the fact that justice must be done to all parties in a dispute in varying degrees.
“Given this irrefutable truth, we are concerned that the court said nothing or did nothing about the continuous commission of offenses against the teeming workers of FCT by the Minister/FCTA/FCT.
“These offenses include the following: 1). Non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions to the appropriate authorities yet the NHF Act states that:
“Failure to remit National Housing Fund deductions in Nigeria within one month of deduction constitutes an offense subjecting employers to stiff penalties, including N50,000 to N100 million in fines and potential imprisonment for directors or responsible officers”
“There are other other penalties including personal liabilities to jail terms ranging from one to five years.
“2). The Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended) similarly has provisions for penalties for non-remittance of deductions. The Act states that pension fund deductions shall be remitted within seven working days after payment of salaries.
“A default attracts a minimum of “2% of the total outstanding amount for each month or part of each month the default continues. The penalty of 24% per annum is to be paid into the employee’s RSA along with the principal”.
“There are other prices to pay for a default. There are other violations by the Minister/FCT/FCTA which we elected not to mention here.
“It is in light of this that we find it distasteful that the court did not think it necessary to do justice to workers by way of even a tokenistic injunctive relief. The combined effects of a long adjournment and denial of an injuctive relief are irredeemably damaging to the cause of the workers and are suggestive of the interest of the court in this matter.
“The Minister of the FCT taking the cue, did not wait for the signature ink on the court order paper to dry before issuing threats of sack to workers. We doubt that reasonable conversation can hold in such a toxic situation.
“We equally find it necessary to add that there is a certain risk we all run when some courts elect to write themselves into oblivion. We as a nation must not take that dangerous path.
“Through this statement, we put on notice all institutions or organisations or individuals violating the provisions of the Pension Fund Act and National Housing Fund Act for a serious engagement.”
He also called on workers and organs of the Congress to be on high alert to see to the implementation of this engagement “in case someone thinks we are bluffing”.
