The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has declared its full support for the indefinite nationwide industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to start on Monday.
This decision was made public in a press release issued following an online meeting of federal workers on Saturday and made available to the media on Sunday.
The NLC and TUC have announced the strike to protest the government’s failure to pass a new National Minimum Wage Act and to reverse the electricity tariff hike to ₦65/kWh.
The communique, signed by FWF National Coordinator Comrade Andrew Emelieze, criticised the government’s poor handling of workers’ issues, describing it as “very disappointing” and “insensitive.”
The forum expressed dismay at the government’s treatment of workers, despite the severe economic hardships they face due to the unilateral removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which caused a 300% increase in prices of goods and services and a significant devaluation of the national currency.
“It is obvious government is playing games on the new national minimum wage, this is truly very mindless and most insensitive.”
“We the federal workers are particularly surprised that the federal government is treating us this way. As the federal workforce and the engine room of governance, if truly government cares; federal workers should not be passing through the hardship and ordeal we are currently subjected to.
“As patriotic citizens, the federal workers have tried coping with the situation but it has been very difficult surviving the harsh economy orchestrated by the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Prices of goods and services have increased by over 300%. Our national currency has been badly devalued. Federal workers now find it very difficult to feed and survive in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
The forum also condemned the government for stopping the ₦35,000 wage award payments since February and for owing various arrears, including promotion allowances.
“Most unfortunately, government has stopped the payment of the ₦35,000 wage award in the month of February to the federal workers. It is shameful that government now owes the federal government workers three months’ wage award. Government is also owing several arrears of allowances, promotion arrears and several other monies owed the federal workers,” it added.
The federal workers also demanded the payment of the three months’ wage award arrears and other outstanding payments. They also insisted that the government should not borrow from their contributory pension fund.
The forum declared its full support for the indefinite strike and called for a complete shutdown of all federal government secretariats. They also suggested that any leader unable to pay a living wage should resign.
FWF also proposed occupying the three arms zone and state government houses if the government does not respond within five working days of the strike’s commencement.
“The federal government should pay up three months wage award and other arrears of payment owed the federal workers.
“That the federal government is not permitted to borrow any amount from our contributory pension fund.
“We are in total support of the indefinite national strike action called by labour. Federal workers should ensure full compliance and complete shutdown of all federal government secretariats nationwide.
“That Mr President and any state governor who cannot pay a living wage should resign.
“That if after five working days from the commencement of the indefinite strike, and government is not bulging, labour should lead the workers to occupy the three arms zone and state government houses nationwide.
The communique concluded with an urgent appeal for solidarity from the Nigerian people.
