Offices of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were shut on Monday as workers commenced an indefinite strike.
The decision to embark on the industrial action was made by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over “authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands”.
The union said the industrial action will affect all secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals under the FCTA, effectively grounding government activities within the territory.
Speaking with journalists while shutting down the offices on Monday, Musa Istifanus, vice-president of JUAC (FCTA, FCDA and SDS), said the union’s actions were in response to the administration’s neglect of staff welfare.
“You can see that we are shutting down the gates of FCTA, FCDA and all our agencies. The minister has refused to meet with the union, despite numerous attempts to engage with him on issues affecting staff,” he said.
Istifanus cited several grievances, including a botched promotion exercise, non-payment of wage awards, and non-remittance of pensions.
“The promotion was conducted last November, December. And it was a mass failure. 75 percent failed that exam. Do you call it an exam?” he asked.
He also accused the FCT service commission chairman of being unresponsive to staff concerns and behaving unprofessionally.
“That man has been a problem to FCT since he came. He doesn’t listen to staff, he talks to staff anyhow. All we are saying is that that man should be removed immediately,” he said.
Istifanus said the strike would continue indefinitely until their demands are met.
“If the minister is meeting with us today and our issues are resolved, definitely we’ll call it off today. But for now, we cannot tell you how the strike is going. It’s indefinite. By the grace of God,” he added.
JUAC had said the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management, which it said was ignored despite series of meetings during the period.
The ultimatum, which took effect on January 7, was contained in a statement dated January 8 and signed by Rifkatu Iortyer, JUAC president, and Abdullahi Saleh, secretary of the congress.
The unions’ demands include payment of outstanding promotion arrears, stalled promotions, and the continued extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries.
They also alleged failure by the administration to remit workers’ pension contributions and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions.
