The strike, SaharaReporters learnt, comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management to resolve long-standing labour and welfare issues. Union leaders accused authorities of deliberately ignoring repeated engagements and failing to address grievances that have lingered for years.
Government offices in Abuja and across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were on Monday deserted as workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) withdrew their services following an indefinite strike declared by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC).
The strike, SaharaReporters learnt, comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management to resolve long-standing labour and welfare issues. Union leaders accused authorities of deliberately ignoring repeated engagements and failing to address grievances that have lingered for years.
JUAC, in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Saleh, ordered all categories of staff across FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals to comply fully with the strike directive until their demands are met.
Among the issues fueling the industrial action are: unpaid wage awards and outstanding promotion arrears; delayed promotions and what unions described as the “illegal retention” of retired directors and permanent secretaries beyond their statutory tenure; failure of the administration to remit pension contributions and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions; and worsening working conditions and alleged intimidation of staff.
The unions also raised the alarm over what they termed a “colossal failure” in the 2024 promotion examinations, claiming that about 77.5 percent of candidates were unfairly failed.
Union leaders said the strike became inevitable after management’s “silence and lack of commitment” to resolving the issues. They accused the FCTA of deliberately frustrating workers while extending privileges to retired officials who should have exited service.
Copies of the strike notice were reportedly forwarded to the Minister of State for the FCT, the Chief of Staff, the Head of Service, and the Director of Security Services.
As of Monday morning, it was observed that government offices in Abuja city centre and area councils were shut down, with workers absent from duty posts. The strike is expected to paralyse administrative activities across the territory until the government addresses the demands.
JUAC has vowed not to call off the action until all entitlements are paid and the welfare of workers is secured.