The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has threatened to go on a three-day warning strike starting Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government does not meet their demands. The council, representing a significant bloc of Nigeria's workforce, wants the government to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to ₦500 per litre and approve a new wage award. The ultimatum was issued after the government failed to respond to a letter sent on September 21.
The JNPSNC, comprising eight major public sector unions, including the Medical and Health Workers Union and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has been pressing for economic relief. The council's National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, stated that the government's inaction has left workers with no alternative but to withdraw their services. The current pump price of petrol ranges from ₦1,450 to ₦2,000 in major urban centers and up to ₦2,500 per litre in remote communities.
To address the fuel pricing crisis, the JNPSNC suggests that the government establish a dedicated intervention fund to absorb the landing costs of PMS and support oil and gas operators. The council also recommends that the government mandate the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and local modular refineries under favorable terms. This, they believe, will boost domestic refining and reduce retail prices.
The workers are also demanding the constitution of a tripartite committee to facilitate negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The council stresses that forming the committee now is crucial to avoiding administrative bottlenecks that could delay the implementation of the wage structure. The proposed minimum wage is ₦500,000, which will take effect in 2027.
The JNPSNC's demands are aimed at cushioning the prevailing economic hardship and supporting workers, their dependents, and vulnerable citizens. Olowoyo emphasized that the failure of the Federal Government to take necessary steps on or before the September 30 deadline leaves Nigerian workers with no alternative but to go on strike.
The strike threat comes as President Bola Tinubu is expected to address the nation in his Independence Day national broadcast. The JNPSNC expects the President to explicitly address the mounting economic concerns. The council has already mobilized the nation's workforce for the impending strike.
The JNPSNC's strike threat has significant implications for the nation's economy and workforce. If the demands are not met, the strike could have far-reaching consequences for the country's public sector. The government is urged to take urgent steps to address the workers' demands and avoid the impending strike.
Key points
- The JNPSNC is demanding a reduction in fuel prices to ₦500 per litre and a new wage award to support workers.
- The council proposes the establishment of a dedicated intervention fund to absorb the landing costs of PMS and support oil and gas operators.
- The workers are also demanding the constitution of a tripartite committee to facilitate negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
