The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, describing it as inadequate and incapable of addressing the harsh economic realities facing Nigerian workers.
This was contained in a communiqué issued on Sunday at the end of a meeting and opinion poll held on Saturday to deliberate on hardship and insecurity across the country.
The communique was jointly signed by .Mr. Andrew Emelieze, the FWF’s national coordinator; Mr. Ayo Ogundele, the national secretary; and Mr. Aminu Yerima, the forum’s national mobilisation officer.
Despite repeated government promises about workers’ welfare, the forum said that federal employees were struggling with deteriorating living circumstances, poor pay, unpaid arrears, and growing insecurity.
The communiqué claims that workers’ expectations have not been met and that the N70,000 national minimum wage has not increased their purchasing power.
It said that deductions further decreased the actual benefits that employees received and that only N40,000 was added consistently to wages across grade levels.
The forum also voiced worry over the government authorities’ failure to execute the 40% peculiar allowance and unpaid wage award arrears.
“Fear and uncertainty are everyday realities for federal employees across the country. They stated, “We are always faced with the difficulties of safety and survival.”
Because of inflation, increased living expenses, the elimination of fuel subsidies, and the depreciating value of the naira, workers have continued to experience extreme financial difficulty.
According to the forum, “Many federal workers are still owed promotion arrears, wage awards, duty tour allowances, and other entitlements accumulated over several years.”
The forum stated that the suggested N100,000 minimum salary, which governors apparently discussed, was significantly less than what could be considered a liveable wage.
This is the pinnacle of hypocrisy, in our opinion. It stated, “These same governors, the majority of whom claimed they could not afford the N70,000 minimum wage, are now proposing N100,000.”
The forum asked authorities to adhere to due process in establishing a pay that reflects current economic reality and referred to the proposal as a “Greek gift”.
“The proposed N100,000 is hardly a liveable salary. The forum declared, “We denounce and reject this proposal in its entirety and in all of its forms.”
The forum also bemoaned the worsening security situation, claiming that workers and regular people were more vulnerable to murders, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
It stated that numerous victims, including children, were still in captivity in various parts of the nation and that schools had emerged as prominent targets of criminal attacks.
It said, “The fear is real, as many federal workers and indeed many more Nigerians are falling victims of the system’s failure to guarantee safety on a daily basis.”
The forum urged the government to act quickly to address insecurity, secure the release of those who have been abducted, and put an end to the killings that have been reported around the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) were also asked by the conference to declare an indefinite nationwide strike due to poverty and insecurity.
They said, “The poll’s position is to mandate the NLC/TUC to immediately call out workers to proceed on an indefinite strike action.”
Additionally, they voiced support for planned nationwide demonstrations and rallies that would start on June 1st, provided that living conditions and security are improved.
The forum urged the federal government to implement a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to alleviate financial hardship and to pay off any unpaid arrears owing to employees.
In order to address constitutional and governance difficulties that it recognised as contributing to national challenges, the forum also recommended calling a sovereign national convention.
Additionally, the workers’ group handed President Bola Tinubu a 30-day deadline to address Nigerians’ economic misery, kidnappings, murders, and insecurity.
“We have seen far too many murders of our people. It declared, “Enough of these murders, enough of this suffering, enough of this despair, fear, and uncertainty.”
The forum warned that further inaction could exacerbate popular discontent and stated that the government must meet its constitutional obligation to ensure security and wellbeing. (NAN).
