Public sector workers in Nigeria, under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), have issued a 30-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the worsening economic hardship faced by workers and their dependents. The ultimatum, which was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demands that the government take urgent steps to stabilize the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N500 per litre. The workers warned that the current hardship could lead to an unwanted situation if not addressed.
The JNPSNC's demands come on the heels of a similar call by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the government to approve emergency palliatives and wage awards to workers nationwide. NLC President Joe Ajaero had warned that the rising cost of petrol would further worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians, leading to increased transportation costs, food prices, rent, and school fees. The NLC had also called for measures to cushion the impact of the rising price of petrol.
According to the JNPSNC, the rising inflation, fuel prices, transportation costs, and increasing cost of food, housing, healthcare, and education have eroded the real value of workers' salaries. Many workers are struggling to meet basic financial obligations, affecting morale, motivation, and productivity within the public service. The council stated that the provision of food palliatives is not a sustainable solution to the economic crisis and instead demanded a reduction in fuel prices to N500 per litre.
The JNPSNC identified the restoration of workers' purchasing power, improved productivity and service delivery, promotion of integrity and accountability, and the reinforcement of trust and industrial peace as major reasons for its demand for improved remuneration. The workers urged the government to stabilize fuel prices to an affordable minimum, citing the fuel's essentiality and significant implications for the Nigerian economy.
The council also demanded a minimum wage of N500,000 and called on the president to immediately approve a wage award as well as allowances across the public service. According to the council, the wage award would serve as a precursor to the substantive New National Minimum Wage expected to take effect in January 2027. The workers also demanded the immediate setting up of a committee to negotiate the new National Minimum Wage.
The JNPSNC is an umbrella body that negotiates wages and allowances for workers in the public sector, comprising members from affiliate unions of both the NLC and the TUC. The NLC has acknowledged the council's existence, stating that the federal government is aware of it. However, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has disowned the JNPSNC.
As the ultimatum deadline approaches, the federal government's response remains uncertain. The presidency had not responded to inquiries about receiving the letter from the civil servants as of the time of filing this report. The government's handling of the situation will likely have significant implications for the country's workforce and economy.
Key points
- - Public sector workers in Nigeria issue 30-day ultimatum to federal government to address economic hardship - Workers demand stabilization of fuel prices at N500 per litre and a minimum wage of N500,000 - The ultimatum comes amid rising inflation, fuel prices, and transportation costs exacerbating economic hardship for Nigerians
