…Says Nationwide Protests To Go Ahead Tomorrow, Monday 29
THE FEDERAL Workers Forum (FWF) has declared that the Federal Government’s recent admission that Nigerian workers are poorly remunerated has vindicated its long-standing campaign against what it describes as exploitative wages and worsening living conditions in the federal public service.
In a strongly-worded press statement issued on Saturday, and made available to National Record, the Forum said comments credited to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, amounted to an official acknowledgement that federal workers have been subjected to years of poor remuneration, economic hardship and neglect.
The Forum argued that the admission confirms repeated warnings it has issued over what it described as the failure of the Federal Government to provide workers with a living wage despite soaring inflation and the rising cost of living.
According to the Forum, the government’s acknowledgement raises more questions than answers because, despite recognising the severity of workers’ suffering, it has yet to announce any concrete measures to improve their welfare.
The workers’ body maintained that its position remains unchanged that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage is grossly inadequate and does not reflect prevailing economic realities.
“The government has finally admitted that federal workers are underpaid. Our outcry has been justified. But admitting the problem without taking immediate action amounts to hypocrisy,” the Forum stated.
The FWF accused the Federal Government of ignoring repeated appeals from workers while allowing millions of public servants to struggle under worsening economic conditions.
The organisation further criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), alleging that both labour centres have failed to mount sufficient pressure on government to secure a meaningful wage review and better welfare for workers.
According to the Forum, organised labour must urgently rethink its strategies to effectively defend the interests of workers.
Beyond the issue of salaries, the Forum alleged that the Federal Government has failed to fully implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage and is still owing several categories of workers outstanding entitlements.
It listed the unpaid obligations to include wage award balances dating back to June 2024, promotion arrears, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and other outstanding benefits.
The Forum also alleged that the implementation of the new minimum wage merely translated into an additional ₦40,000 across federal workers’ salaries, insisting that the exercise fell short of workers’ expectations.
It questioned why government officials were discussing another minimum wage review while existing obligations remained unpaid.
“The Federal Government cannot continue to acknowledge that workers are suffering while leaving outstanding arrears unpaid. Justice requires immediate action, not political statements,” the statement added.
The Forum demanded an immediate upward review of salaries across the federal public service, proposing a new national minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum salary of ₦1.5 million for Directors on Grade Level 17.
It also called for the salary adjustment to be backdated by at least one year to compensate workers for what it described as prolonged economic injustice, with implementation beginning from the July salary.
The organisation urged the Chief of Staff to support what it called a comprehensive wage review capable of guaranteeing a living wage for federal workers.
Meanwhile, the Forum confirmed that its planned nationwide protest against insecurity and economic hardship will proceed as scheduled on Monday, June 29.
It called on federal workers across the country to wear black clothing and assemble peacefully in front of federal government secretariats nationwide to demand better wages, improved welfare and justice.
The Forum insisted that federal workers remain committed to peaceful mobilisation until government addresses their demands, declaring that there would be “no going back” on the planned protest.
