Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) on Wednesday grounded activities at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, protesting what they described as “slave-like” working conditions, poor welfare, intimidation and sustained labour rights violations.
Key Highlights:
- Workers at Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service protested over poor welfare and “slave-like” conditions.
- Staff accused management of ignoring grievances and violating labour rights.
- Workers demanded salary increases, promotions, healthcare, and housing benefits.
- Protesters alleged intimidation and heavy security presence at the headquarters.
- Employees threatened an indefinite strike from May 18 if demands are unmet.
The protest, which unfolded under heavy security presence, took place at the agency’s headquarters on Abriba Close, Area 7, Garki, Abuja, where aggrieved staff staged a peaceful picketing that quickly escalated into a broader warning of industrial action.
The workers accused management of years of broken promises, alleging that internal grievances had been repeatedly ignored despite prolonged engagement with authorities.
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According to some of the protesting staff, the action followed what they described as exhausting cycles of dialogue that produced no tangible improvement in working conditions.
“What we have heard are the same explanations and promises that staff have continued to hear over the years,” one of the workers said, insisting that management responses had become repetitive and ineffective.
Another protesting staff member declared: “Enough is enough. The time for endless discussions without action has passed.”
The aggrieved employees listed a series of demands, including immediate release of promotion results and issuance of promotion letters, a 300 percent salary increase, improved healthcare coverage, a functional housing scheme, and the removal of seconded personnel from the agency structure.
“Our demands remain clear and straightforward,” one worker said, adding that the current compensation structure no longer reflects economic realities or workload expectations.
The workers also alleged that management had begun issuing queries and intimidation notices to discourage participation in the protest.
“They started intimidating and issuing queries to staff,” an employee alleged, claiming that internal pressure tactics intensified as the protest gained momentum.
Security operatives were reportedly deployed in large numbers around the premises, in what workers interpreted as an attempt to contain the demonstration.
“Currently, we are gathered at the headquarters and we saw heavy security presence,” another staff member said.
The workers said the peaceful picketing would continue from May 13 to May 15, after which an indefinite strike is expected to begin on May 18 if their demands are not addressed.
