Workers under Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) closed offices across the capital on Monday as they started an indefinite strike to protest unresolved welfare and labour concerns.
Gatekeepers News reports that the action was declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) after efforts to get management to meet key demands failed.
The strike has shut down activities in all secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals under the FCTA, effectively paralysing government operations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Union leaders told reporters that the industrial action was triggered by what they described as continued neglect of staff welfare.
Speaking at FCTA headquarters, Musa Istifanus, JUAC vice-president for FCTA, FCDA, and the Secretariat, said workers were frustrated by delayed promotions, unpaid wage awards, and the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions. He accused the FCT Service Commission chairman of ignoring staff concerns and acting unprofessionally.
Istifanus said the union had given the administration a seven-day ultimatum beginning January 7 to address the complaints, but the deadline passed without meaningful engagement.
He also criticised a recent promotion exercise, saying about 75% of staff were unfairly marked as failing, which he described as unacceptable.
“The minister has refused to meet with the union, despite numerous attempts to engage with him on issues affecting staff,” Istifanus said, adding that the strike would continue until their issues are resolved. He said if government officials met with the union and satisfied their demands, the strike could be called off immediately.
Among the union’s demands are payment of outstanding promotion arrears, completion of stalled promotions, and approval of extended service for retired directors and permanent secretaries. The workers also want immediate action on the alleged failure to remit pension and NHF contributions deducted from employees’ salaries.
The strike comes amid rising labour unrest in parts of the public service, with unions increasingly pushing back against delayed welfare payments and alleged administrative indifference. Workers and citizens in Abuja have reported difficulties accessing government services as most offices have remained shut since Monday morning.
FCTA and FCDA management have yet to issue a public response to the strike notice or the specific demands from JUAC, while police and security agents continue to monitor key government installations affected by the shutdown.
