•Terrorists
The Federal Workers Forum has threatened to mobilise federal workers for an indefinite nationwide strike over rising insecurity in the country and unresolved wage issues.
The forum, in a communiqué issued after an online meeting yesterday, upbraided the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for not rising to the occasion and providing leadership in this regard, reports The PUNCH.
In the communiqué signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Emelieze, and Secretary, Mr Ayo Ogundele, and made available to journalists, the forum accused the federal government of exploiting workers and failing to guarantee their safety.
The group said an online poll of its members overwhelmingly backed an immediate strike to address the current hardship and insecurity crisis confronting Nigeria.
It said the July 2024 minimum wage adjustment has been a hoax for federal workers.
According to the forum, only N40,000 was added flat to salaries across all grade levels, and the amount was taxed, leaving workers with much less.
The group also alleged that the promised 40 per cent peculiar allowance, which the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said would take effect from May 1, 2026, was later denounced by the Office of the Accountant-General.
“May 2026 salaries have been paid, but no wage award was given as promised by the Minister of Finance, and consequential adjustments remain outstanding.
“Federal workers are already getting used to forfeiting their promotion arrears and, as a matter of fact, some salaries and numerous arrears have entered ‘voice mail’,” the communiqué stated.
It further listed unpaid entitlements to include two months of wage award arrears since July 2024 and outstanding Duty Tour Allowance arrears.
The forum rejected a recent N100,000 minimum wage proposal by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, calling it a “Greek gift” meant to keep wages low, and describing it as a “wicked conspiracy against workers.”
It demanded a living wage and the immediate clearance of all outstanding arrears and cost-of-living allowance.
On insecurity, the FWF said federal workers now lived daily in fear and uncertainty, with kidnappings and attacks becoming routine.
It specifically condemned recent kidnappings in Oyo and Borno states involving children and teachers.
The forum, therefore, mandated the leadership of the NLC and TUC to engage the government with a view to speedy resolution of the hardship and insecurity challenges.
It also demanded that the federal government use all means, including negotiation, to free hostages, especially children in captivity in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
It equally called on the National Assembly to legislate the right of Nigerians to bear firearms.
The forum urged the convocation of a sovereign national conference to discuss the state of the nation.
