Federal workers represented by the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address overdue salaries and benefits for employees. This request was made during an online meeting held on Monday, with a communiqué released to DAILY POST on Tuesday.
In the communiqué, signed by National Coordinator Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the workers highlighted that the federal government still owes them significant amounts, exacerbating their financial struggles. They cited outstanding promotion arrears, unpaid duty tour allowances, delays in wage increments, and other entitlements, including the new national minimum wage and various allowances for military and paramilitary personnel.
Emelieze urged the president to take urgent action to mitigate the rising costs of food and essential goods. He emphasized that the current situation is dire, with many Nigerians facing severe hardship, and noted that the removal of fuel subsidies has significantly worsened conditions for citizens.
He stated, “The situation is extremely concerning. Many Nigerians are suffering from hunger, and the harsh policies in place have resulted in widespread distress. Daily life has become a struggle, with increased poverty leading to a rise in desperation among the populace. The drastic changes since fuel subsidy removal have left many feeling trapped, and suicide rates are alarmingly high.”
Emelieze further criticized government policies as detrimental, arguing they are akin to capital punishment for the populace. He mentioned the steep rise in fuel prices since Tinubu’s administration began, causing significant financial strain on both the general public and federal workers, who are also suffering under these reforms.
He concluded by urging the president to pay immediate attention to the plight of federal workers, many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck. He rejected the recent adjustment to the national minimum wage, deeming the proposed increase to ₦70,000 as insufficient and a source of national shame.