FCT Workers Decry Court Ruling on Strike, Demand Action on Pension and NHF Deductions
By Darasimi Kikelomo
FCT workers have faulted a court ruling suspending their strike, accusing the FCT Administration of pension and housing fund violations.
Workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed strong dissatisfaction with a ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) suspending their ongoing strike action and adjourning the dispute to 25 March 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the workers said they were dismayed by the court’s decision, arguing that it failed to address alleged violations committed against FCT employees by the FCT Administration (FCTA).
The court ruling followed a case instituted by the Minister of the FCT and the FCT Administration against workers and employees of the territory. The NICN ordered the immediate suspension of the strike and fixed March 25 for further hearing.
While acknowledging that court decisions may not satisfy all parties, the NLC said justice must be seen to be done to all sides in an industrial dispute. The Congress expressed concern that the court did not grant any form of injunctive relief in favour of workers or comment on what it described as “continuous commission of offences” against them.
According to the NLC, one of the major issues is the alleged non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, which it said contravenes provisions of the NHF Act. The Act stipulates that failure to remit deductions within one month constitutes an offence, attracting penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment for responsible officers.
The Congress also accused the FCT Administration of breaching the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended) by allegedly failing to remit pension deductions within the required seven working days after salary payments. The law prescribes penalties, including a minimum surcharge of two per cent of the outstanding amount for each month of default, payable into affected employees’ Retirement Savings Accounts.
“There are other violations by the Minister and the FCT Administration which we have elected not to mention here,” the statement said.
The NLC described the court’s long adjournment and refusal to grant injunctive relief as “damaging to the cause of workers,” warning that the situation could weaken trust in the judicial process if left unaddressed.
The Congress further alleged that the Minister of the FCT issued threats of dismissal to workers shortly after the ruling, describing the environment as hostile to meaningful dialogue.
“If the intention of the court is to break the strike and weaken the resolve of injured workers, then it is mistaken,” the statement said, urging workers to remain resolute.
The NLC also warned organisations and institutions allegedly violating the Pension Reform Act and National Housing Fund Act to expect “serious engagement,” adding that workers and labour organs should remain on high alert to ensure enforcement.
The development adds to ongoing tensions between organised labour and the FCT Administration, as workers continue to demand compliance with statutory deductions and improved industrial relations.
