The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and organised labour unions have reached a midnight agreement that led to the suspension of the ongoing strike and the immediate resumption of work by affected employees.
The agreement followed more than three hours of intensive negotiations that stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, concluding at about 3:50 a.m. The talks were facilitated by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, and were attended by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, alongside the TUC General Secretary, Dr Nuhu Toro, said the negotiations produced several resolutions aimed at restoring industrial harmony within the FCT Administration.
According to Upah, the agreements include firm assurances that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike, the immediate withdrawal of all cases filed at the National Industrial Court, and a commitment by the FCT Minister to sustain dialogue and maintain mutual respect with organised labour.
“All complaints presented by members of the Joint Unions Action Committee were taken one after the other and fully addressed,” Upah said. He added that the minister pledged continuous engagement with labour unions to prevent future disputes.
Following the agreement, workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), as well as affiliates of the NLC and TUC within the FCT Administration, were directed to resume work immediately.
“All JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT are hereby directed to resume work with immediate effect,” Upah said, urging strict compliance in the interest of industrial peace and good faith.
The industrial action had been triggered by unresolved labour-related grievances within the FCT Administration. The strike disrupted activities across the nation’s capital for several days and was accompanied by threats of mass protests, despite security warnings and a court order restraining the action.
The intervention of the Senate Committee on the FCT ultimately paved the way for dialogue and resolution, bringing the strike to an end.
