The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, saying it is insufficient to meet the current economic realities confronting Nigerian workers. The position of the forum was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting and opinion poll held to discuss hardship and insecurity across the country.
The communiqué, signed by the National Coordinator of the forum, Andrew Emelieze, National Secretary Ayo Ogundele, and National Mobilisation Officer Aminu Yerima, stated that federal workers were facing worsening living conditions, poor wages, unpaid arrears and increasing insecurity despite repeated promises by the government to improve workers’ welfare.
The forum explained that the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage had failed to meet expectations, noting that it did not significantly improve workers’ purchasing power. According to the group, only N40,000 was added across salary structures, while deductions further reduced the actual benefits workers received.The workers also expressed dissatisfaction over the non-implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and the failure to pay outstanding wage award arrears and other entitlements owed to workers over the years.
The communiqué stated that workers across the country now live in fear and uncertainty due to rising inflation, high cost of living, the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the continued depreciation of the naira. It added that many workers were still owed promotion arrears, duty tour allowances and several other outstanding payments.
Reacting to the reported proposal by governors to increase the minimum wage to N100,000, the forum described the move as hypocritical, pointing out that many governors previously claimed they could not afford the N70,000 wage. The group described the proposed amount as a “Greek gift” and insisted it could not be regarded as a living wage under current economic conditions.
The forum therefore rejected the proposal entirely and urged authorities to follow proper procedures in negotiating a wage structure that truly reflects the realities facing workers.
On insecurity, the forum lamented the increasing cases of kidnappings, killings and violent crimes across the country, stressing that workers and ordinary Nigerians were no longer safe. It also raised concerns about attacks on schools and the continued captivity of many kidnapped victims, including children.The workers’ body called on the government to urgently improve security, secure the release of kidnapped persons and stop the widespread killings being recorded nationwide.
The forum further urged the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike over worsening hardship and insecurity. It also declared support for planned nationwide protests and rallies beginning June 1 until conditions improve.
In addition, the group called on the federal government to pay all outstanding arrears owed workers and introduce a Cost of Living Allowance to help cushion economic hardship.
The forum also advocated the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address constitutional and governance issues it believes are contributing to the nation’s problems.
It further issued a 30-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to address insecurity, kidnappings, killings and economic hardship in the country, warning that continued failure by the government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring citizens’ welfare could worsen public dissatisfaction.
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