Offices of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were shut on Monday as workers began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and labour-related issues.
The industrial action was declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which accused the authorities of failing to address long-standing demands affecting staff across the FCT. The union said the strike has halted activities in all secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals under the FCTA.
Speaking to journalists during the shutdown, Musa Istifanus, vice-president of JUAC (FCTA, FCDA and SDS), said the strike was a response to persistent neglect of workers’ welfare. He alleged that repeated attempts by the union to engage the FCT minister on staff concerns had been ignored.
Istifanus listed key grievances to include a flawed promotion exercise, non-payment of wage awards, and failure to remit pension contributions. He described the promotion exam conducted late last year as unfair, claiming that about 75 percent of participants failed.
He also criticised the chairman of the FCT Service Commission, accusing him of being unresponsive to workers’ concerns and calling for his immediate removal.
According to the union, the strike will remain in force until their demands are met. Istifanus said the action could be suspended only if the authorities agree to meet with the union and resolve the issues promptly.
JUAC explained that the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management on January 7, which it said was ignored despite several meetings.
Among the union’s demands are the payment of outstanding promotion arrears, implementation of stalled promotions, discontinuation of service extensions for retired directors and permanent secretaries, and the remittance of pension and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions.
