The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the National Industrial Court’s decision ordering workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend the ongoing strike, insisting that the ruling will not weaken the determination of aggrieved workers.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, faulted the National Industrial Court for failing to make any pronouncement on what the NLC described as “persistent violations of labour laws” by the FCTA. The union argued that key issues underpinning the strike, including the non‑remittance of statutory deductions, were overlooked in the ruling.
He stressed that, the congress was dismayed by the court’s order halting the strike and adjourning the substantive hearing to March 25, 2026, without addressing the core complaints raised by the workers.
The NLC specifically highlighted the alleged failure by the FCTA to remit National Housing Fund (NHF) and pension deductions, matters it says are clear violations of existing laws.
Under the law, failure to remit NHF deductions is an offence that can attract heavy fines ranging from N50,000 to N100 million, and even possible jail terms for responsible officers, the NLC noted.
The congress also cited the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended), which requires employers to remit pension deductions within seven working days, with penalties of up to 24 per cent per annum for defaults. The NLC went further to accuse the Minister of the FCT of escalating tensions in the aftermath of the court ruling by issuing threats of sack to striking workers.
