Federal workers have threatened to join a proposed three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address workers’ demands over petrol prices, wages and worsening living conditions.
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) in a communiqué signed by its National Coordinator , Comrade Andrew Emelieze and issued after its online general meeting on Sunday, September 27, said its members were ready to mobilise for industrial action should the government fail to respond to organised labour’s demands.
The forum said it was particularly waiting for President Bola Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day broadcast for a clear response to the concerns raised by labour.
The communique parly reads: “Most unfortunately, we have not seen any serious commitment from the government to address labour’s demands.
“We are waiting and hoping that the October 1st Independence Day broadcast will address these concerns. Failing this, federal workers will be ready to embark on the three-day warning strike proposed by labour.”
The workers also endorsed the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council’s (JNPSNC) demand for an immediate reduction of petrol price to ₦500 per litre, insisting that the reduction should also extend to kerosene, diesel and cooking gas.
“We call on all federal workers to mobilize and prepare for any industrial action called by labour leadership should the government refuse to meet these demands.”
The FWF also demanded an immediate review of workers’ salaries to a minimum of ₦300,000 and a maximum of ₦1.5 million for Level 17 officers.
It further backed labour’s demand for a living wage and called for the immediate reinstatement of the wage award as a reasonable Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
“We are also in full support of labour’s fight for a living wage. To continually suppress wages is proof of bad governance and irresponsibility on the part of the government.”
The forum also called on the JNPSNC to demand full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage from July 2024, including consequential adjustment arrears and the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
“It is illogical to discuss a new wage structure when the ₦70,000 minimum wage has not yet been fully implemented by the federal government.”
The FWF further appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to review their strategies for engaging the government on workers’ welfare.
It also called for an immediate town hall meeting between federal workers and President Tinubu to discuss workers’ needs and strategies for improving productivity.
The forum expressed support for staff of unity colleges and opposed any attempt to concession or privatise King’s College, Lagos, or other unity colleges.
It said the Federal Government should continue to fund public education rather than hand public schools over to private operators.
The workers also criticised the Organised Private Sector (OPS) over its opposition to an immediate wage review for federal workers, describing the position as “unfortunate, suppressive, and reactionary.”
The FWF said federal workers had suffered enough from worsening living conditions since the removal of the petrol subsidy, while insisting that workers deserved “justice and a decent wage, not pity.”
It also appealed to the United Nations to consider classifying what it described as systemic exploitation of labour and payment of starvation wages in Nigeria as a crime against humanity.
