The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the federal government to address issues impacting correctional facilities across the country, adopt a minimum wage of ₦300,000, and pay unpaid workers’ entitlements.
In a statement released yesterday, Mr. Andrew Emelieze, national coordinator of FWF, called on the government to pay the arrears of the 40% unique allowance and fulfil the pending two-month wage award owed to federal workers since June 2024.
“We remind the Federal Government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers, including the two-month wage award, peculiar allowance arrears, and the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.”
He also called for the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the new national minimum wage for federal workers.
In light of the current state of the economy, the FWF coordinator encouraged President Bola Tinubu to examine worker remuneration right away.
“We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum wage of ₦1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr. President.”
Emelieze also alleged that correctional personnel are underpaid and routinely forced to personally finance essential equipment, including uniforms, rank badges, boots, and belts.
He further claimed that officers sitting for promotion examinations are coerced into funding the “welfare” of their examiners, adding that similar extortionist practices are prevalent within the Federal Fire Service.
Non-Implementation of N70k Minimum Wage
While the Federal workers forum have called for a reviewed minimum salary amount, some states like Borno are yet to see implementation of the initial N70,000 wage.
On May 1, local government workers in Borno State staged a protest over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by the state government.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), held the demonstration in Maiduguri as part of activities marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, the Borno State NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa said, “Here in Borno, teachers and primary healthcare workers have been captured, but local government staff are yet to benefit. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
Backstory…
The latest demands by federal workers follow months of growing dissatisfaction over the implementation of the new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government. In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law after prolonged negotiations with organised labour, ending weeks of strike threats by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Although the federal government has hinted that it may consider reviewing the minimum salary amount to N100,000, many Nigerians have also rejected the proposal stating that the proposed amount will make no difference.
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