Federal Workers Plan Nationwide Protest Over Wage Review, Unpaid Allowances

Federal workers under the umbrella of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on Monday, demanding an immediate review of workers wages and improved welfare packages amid worsening economic conditions.

The forum said the decision followed resolutions reached during an emergency online meeting involving federal workers from across the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the FWF, Andrew Emelieze, said the protest would be conducted peacefully and simultaneously across federal secretariats nationwide.

According to him, the action will also include the picketing of selected government institutions to draw attention to the challenges facing federal workers.

Emelieze disclosed that federal workers had been encouraged to wear black attire every Monday as a symbolic protest against rising insecurity and the economic hardship confronting many Nigerians.

"We have also encouraged federal workers to wear black attire every Monday as a symbol of protest against insecurity and the prevailing economic hardship in the country," he said.

He added that collective action had become necessary to highlight the growing difficulties faced by workers and to demand what he described as responsible governance and effective leadership.

The workers forum argued that the N70,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government no longer reflects current economic realities, citing inflation and the rising cost of living.

According to the group, many federal workers are yet to fully benefit from the implementation of the new minimum wage, while several approved entitlements remain unpaid.

"To continue to pay N70,000 minimum wage under the current economic realities is unacceptable. The wage must be reviewed immediately," Emelieze stated.

The forum is also demanding the immediate payment of outstanding wage award balances, promotion arrears and the full implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance owed to federal workers.

"The government must immediately pay the outstanding wage award balance, fully disburse the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and clear all promotion arrears owed to federal workers," the statement said.

Workers argue that delays in settling these obligations have compounded the financial burden on civil servants already grappling with rising transportation, housing and food costs.

Beyond wage-related demands, the forum called on the Federal Government to introduce a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to cushion the impact of inflation on workers.

The group also advocated the immediate resumption of wage award payments if a COLA cannot be introduced in the short term.

Among other demands, the workers are seeking:

Free education for children of federal workers in federal institutions

A functional vehicle loan scheme for civil servants

A special family support allowance to assist workers with household responsibilities

Reduction or removal of tariffs on essential goods and services to ease pressure on families

The workers also expressed concern over the country's security situation and called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue victims of kidnapping and violent crimes.

Specifically, the forum urged authorities to secure the release of abducted children in Oyo State and other Nigerians currently being held captive across the country.

"We call on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of the kidnapped children in Oyo State and all other citizens being held captive across the country," Emelieze said.

The forum also criticised what it described as the silence of organised labour on issues affecting workers and ordinary Nigerians.

It called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare a two-day nationwide strike and protest over economic hardship and insecurity.

The planned protest adds to growing pressure on the Federal Government from labour groups and civil society organisations seeking stronger measures to address inflation, improve workers' welfare and ease the economic burden on households across the country.