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The Federal Workers Forum has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, describing it as inadequate and incapable of addressing the economic realities facing Nigerian workers, the group said in a communiqué issued on Sunday.
“To us, this is the height of hypocrisy. These same governors, most of whom said they could not afford the N70,000 minimum wage, are now proposing N100,000,” the forum said, describing the proposal as a “Greek gift.”
“The N100,000 proposal is not a living wage. We condemn and reject this proposal in all its forms and entirety.”
The forum said the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage had fallen short of workers’ expectations and failed to improve their purchasing power.
According to the communiqué signed by National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze, National Secretary Ayo Ogundele, and National Mobilisation Officer Aminu Yerima, only N40,000 was added uniformly to salaries across grade levels, with deductions further reducing the actual benefits received by workers.
The forum also expressed concern over the non-implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and outstanding wage award arrears promised by government officials.
“Federal workers nationwide are living daily in fear and uncertainty. We are constantly confronted with the challenges of survival and safety,” the forum said.
“Workers have continued to face severe economic hardship arising from inflation, high living costs, fuel subsidy removal and declining value of the naira.”
Many federal workers were still being owed promotion arrears, wage awards, duty tour allowances and other entitlements accumulated over several years, the forum added.
The forum urged the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to declare an indefinite nationwide strike over hardship and insecurity.
“The poll’s position is to mandate the NLC/TUC to immediately call out workers to proceed on an indefinite strike action,” the communiqué stated.
The forum expressed support for proposed nationwide protests and rallies beginning June 1, pending improvements in security and living conditions.
The workers’ body gave President Bola Tinubu a 30-day ultimatum to tackle insecurity, kidnappings, killings and economic hardship facing Nigerians.
“We have witnessed more than enough murder of our people. Enough of these killings, enough of this hardship, enough of this hopelessness, fear and uncertainty,” the forum said.
The forum called on the national government to settle all outstanding arrears owed workers and introduce a Cost of Living Allowance to cushion economic hardship.
It also advocated the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address constitutional and governance issues.
“The fear is real, as many federal workers and indeed many more Nigerians are daily falling victims of the system’s failure to guarantee safety,” the forum stated.
