- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) workers have been directed to resume back to work with immediate effect following the resolution of dispute between the organised labour union and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
This was contained in a circular issued to all affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The circular was jointly signed by the Secretary-General of the TUC, Mr Nuhu Toro, and the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr Benson Upah.
According to the circular, the resolution followed a conciliatory meeting between labour leaders and the FCT minister, convened at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Sen. Mohammed Bomoi.
It stated that the meeting commenced at about 11:45 p.m. on Sunday and ended at approximately 3:51 a.m. on Monday after extensive deliberations.
Organised labour said all complaints raised by members of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) were exhaustively discussed during the meeting.
The circular said the minister assured labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement on labour-related matters in the FCT.
It said the parties also agreed that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike action and that all outstanding cases at the National Industrial Court would be withdrawn immediately.
Following the agreement, the NLC and TUC directed all affected workers to resume duty without delay.
It stated that the directive applied to all affiliates of the NLC and TUC in the FCT Administration.
Labour leaders urged strict compliance in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, describing the outcome of the meeting as a demonstration of good faith by all parties.
They had also insisted on dialogue and assurances against victimisation before suspending the industrial action.
Recall that the workers had embarked on the strike on Jan. 19 over unresolved grievances, including welfare issues and alleged high-handedness.