Federal Workers Reject Proposal for a N100,000 Minimum Wage

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, calling it insufficient to meet the economic realities faced by Nigerian workers.

The decision was announced in a communiqué released on Sunday after a meeting and opinion poll held on Saturday to discuss hardship and insecurity across the country.

The communiqué was signed by Mr. Andrew Emelieze, National Coordinator of FWF; Mr. Ayo Ogundele, National Secretary; and Mr. Aminu Yerima, National Mobilisation Officer.

The forum said federal workers are struggling with deteriorating living conditions, low wages, unpaid arrears and rising insecurity, despite repeated government assurances about workers’ welfare.

According to the communiqué, the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage has not met workers’ expectations and has failed to improve their purchasing power.

It alleged that only N40,000 was added uniformly to salaries across grade levels and that deductions further reduced the actual benefits received by workers.

The forum also expressed concern over the non‑implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and outstanding wage award arrears promised by government officials.

“Federal workers nationwide are living daily in fear and uncertainty. We are constantly confronted with the challenges of survival and safety,” the forum said.

“Workers have continued to face severe economic hardship arising from inflation, high living costs, fuel subsidy removal and the declining value of the naira.”

“Many federal workers are still owed promotion arrears, wage awards, duty tour allowances and other entitlements accumulated over several years,” the forum added.

Regarding the proposed N100,000 minimum wage that governors reportedly canvassed, the forum said the offer fell far below what could be regarded as a living wage.

“To us, this is the height of hypocrisy. These same governors, most of whom said they could not afford the N70,000 minimum wage, are now proposing N100,000,” it said.

The forum described the proposal as a “Greek gift” and urged authorities to follow due process in negotiating a wage that reflects current economic realities.

“The N100,000 proposal is not a living wage. We condemn and reject this proposal in all its forms and entirety,” the forum stated.

The forum also decried the worsening security situation, noting that workers and ordinary citizens are increasingly exposed to kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes.

It observed that schools have become major targets of criminal attacks, while many victims, including children, remain in captivity across different parts of the country.

“The fear is real, as many federal workers and indeed many more Nigerians are daily falling victims of the system’s failure to guarantee safety,” it stated.

The forum called on the government to take urgent measures to address insecurity, secure the release of kidnapped persons and halt the killings recorded nationwide.

The forum further urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare an indefinite nationwide strike over hardship and insecurity.

“The poll’s position is to mandate the NLC/TUC to immediately call out workers to proceed on an indefinite strike action,” they stated.

They also expressed support for proposed nationwide protests and rallies beginning June 1, pending improvements in security and living conditions.

The forum called on the federal government to settle all outstanding arrears owed to workers and introduce a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to cushion economic hardship.

The forum also advocated the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address constitutional and governance issues it identified as contributing to national challenges.

The workers’ body further gave President Bola Tinubu a 30‑day ultimatum to tackle insecurity, kidnappings, killings and economic hardship facing Nigerians.

“We have witnessed more than enough murder of our people. Enough of these killings, enough of this hardship, enough of this hopelessness, fear and uncertainty,” it said.

The forum said that the government must fulfil its constitutional responsibility of ensuring security and welfare, warning that continued inaction could deepen public dissatisfaction. (NAN)

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