Workers call on Tinubu-led government to fulfill promise
Federal workers under the umbrella of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have called on the Federal Government to immediately pay the outstanding three-month wage award owed to public servants across the country.
The workers made this demand in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the forum, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and made available to the press on Wednesday.
According to the group, the non-payment of the balance of the wage award, which was introduced to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, has caused hardship for many federal workers who are already struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.
Background to the wage award
The ₦35,000 monthly wage award was announced by the Federal Government in 2023 as a temporary measure to support workers following the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.
The initiative was expected to run for six months, with workers receiving the payment consistently. However, according to the FWF, the implementation has been inconsistent and in some cases, payments have been delayed or suspended altogether.
Comrade Emelieze noted that despite several appeals, the government has yet to clear the three months of outstanding payments, contrary to earlier assurances from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“The refusal of the federal government to pay up the balance of the outstanding three months wage award as promised by the Accountant General of the Federation has shown clearly how our government has been treating her workers,” Emelieze said.
Inconsistency in wage award implementation
The FWF expressed concern that the inconsistent and delayed payments have worsened the economic situation of workers, many of whom depend on their monthly salaries and allowances to meet basic needs.
Emelieze explained that the ₦35,000 wage award came after intense pressure from labour unions and workers’ representatives. It was introduced as a cost of living allowance to cushion the economic effects of subsidy removal.
However, he noted that the lack of full implementation has eroded the intended impact of the policy, leaving many workers vulnerable to inflation and economic shocks.
“The payment since its implementation has been inconsistent and staggering,” the statement added.
Call for cost of living allowance
The forum went further to urge the Federal Government to introduce a structured cost of living allowance (COLA) to provide lasting relief to workers rather than relying on temporary wage awards.
Specifically, the group suggested that the government should consider paying 30% of workers’ salaries as cost of living allowance, taking into account the rapid increase in the cost of transportation, food, housing, and other essential goods and services.
“We call on the government to work out a cost of living allowance for the workers, preferably pay 30% of our salaries as cost of living allowance,” Emelieze emphasized.
Promotion arrears and other unpaid entitlements
Beyond the wage award, the forum also raised concerns about the backlog of promotion arrears owed to federal workers, some of which reportedly date back more than ten years.
Emelieze stated that it was unacceptable for civil servants who have served the nation diligently to be denied their entitlements for such a prolonged period.
“Same also has been the case for so many backlog of arrears owed the federal workers, especially promotion arrears — in some cases over ten years backlog owed the federal workers in Nigeria,” he said.
The group urged the Federal Government to clear all outstanding arrears and ensure that such delays do not recur in the future.
Demand for review of minimum wage
The forum also criticized the current ₦70,000 minimum wage, describing it as a “slave wage” that does not reflect the current economic realities in the country.
FWF called on the government to review the minimum wage upwards in line with inflation and the cost of living, arguing that a living wage is essential to maintain worker productivity, reduce poverty, and stimulate economic activity.
Labour unrest looming if issues are not addressed
The FWF warned that failure to address these issues could lead to increased discontent among public sector workers. The group noted that workers have shown restraint and patience but expect the government to fulfill its commitments in good faith.
The forum’s demands come at a time when Nigeria is facing high inflation, rising food prices, and increased transportation costs, which have significantly reduced the purchasing power of workers.
