FCT Workers Face ‘No Work, No Pay’ As Administration Cracks Down On Prolonged Strike

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has moved to enforce a strict ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, with immediate effect on striking workers who have defied the National Industrial Court (NIC) order to resume duties.

The crackdown coincides with the workers mobilising for a major protest today, setting the stage for a possible escalation of the ongoing labour dispute.

The directive, issued in a circular from the Office of the Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs Nancy Sabanti, mandates all heads of departments and agencies to implement the policy against any worker absent from their posts.

The policy followed the failure of workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) to call off their strike, which began on January 19, despite a court order suspending the strike issued on January 26.

In a circular, Sabanti condemned what she described as misleading advice being given to workers, alleging that some unnamed individuals were exploiting the situation. She clarified the legal standing, noting that the court’s order remained valid and in force.

“It is common knowledge that the National Industrial Court had on Tuesday, 26th January, 2026, ordered the suspension of the strike by JUAC and its affiliate unions and workers were expected to return to their offices from the date of that order.

“However, it has come to the knowledge of the Honourable Minister that some persons who do not mean well for the employees and the FCTA, have resorted to exploiting the situation by asking workers not to resume work on the flimsy ground that the restraining order of the National Industrial Court has been appealed against,” the circular stated.

The circular sought to dismantle the legal argument for continued strike action, emphasising, “As at today, the NIC has not issued any contrary order or granted stay of execution of its order made on the 26th January, 2026. The same is still valid and subsisting until it is set aside.”

Addressing the specific appeal filed by the law firm of Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of the workers, the administration asserted, “What the law firm filed is an application for leave to appeal simpliciter. Assuming there is even an appeal, that does not on its own, without more, operate as a stay.”