Nigerian workers have issued a warning ahead of President Bola Tinubu's Independence Day address, stating that they will closely scrutinise the speech for concrete measures to address the country's economic challenges. The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) said that the federal government must act on its demands by 30th September or face a three-day warning strike beginning 2nd October. The council's national secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, emphasised that the President's address must specifically address the concerns of workers and millions of Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living.
The JNPSNC had earlier issued an ultimatum to the federal government, giving it until 30 September to address the issues contained in their letter to President Tinubu. The council said that the deadline remains unchanged, noting that workers are prepared to escalate the dispute if the government fails to meet their demands. At the centre of the workers' demands is the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has reached about N1,450 per litre in some locations and between N2,000 and N2,500 in areas outside major communities and cities.
The workers described the prevailing prices as unacceptable, saying that the development has pushed workers, their dependents, and vulnerable Nigerians to the brink of survival. The council demanded that the federal government bring down petrol prices to N500 per litre, proposing an intervention fund to address landing costs and ease pressure on oil and gas operators. The JNPSNC also called on the government to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators to support domestic refining and ultimately reduce petrol costs.
The demand comes against the backdrop of ongoing concerns among organised labour about the erosion of workers' purchasing power as transportation, food, and other essential living costs rise. The JNPSNC demanded an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the impact of the current economic hardship. The council said that the measure would provide temporary relief to workers and their dependents while allowing public servants to maintain their commitment and productivity within the public service.
The JNPSNC further demanded the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for the new national minimum wage expected to take effect. The council's warning was contained in a statement issued by Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, who emphasised that failure to address the workers' demands would attract the "annoyance" of workers and their dependents. The statement follows an earlier warning by the JNPSNC that it may issue a red alert to public servants across the country if the issues raised in their letter to President Tinubu are not attended to.
The JNPSNC's ultimatum and potential strike action are a reminder of the growing tensions between the federal government and organised labour over the country's economic challenges. The council's demands are aimed at addressing the erosion of workers' purchasing power and the rising cost of living in Nigeria. President Tinubu's Independence Day address is expected to provide clarity on the government's plans to address these challenges.
The outcome of the JNPSNC's ultimatum and potential strike action will be closely watched by Nigerians, who are eager to see the government take concrete steps to address the country's economic challenges. The JNPSNC's demands are a call to action for the government to take urgent steps to address the suffering of workers and vulnerable Nigerians.
Key points
- The JNPSNC has issued an ultimatum to the federal government, demanding that it addresses the workers' demands by 30th September or face a three-day warning strike.
- The workers are demanding that the federal government bring down petrol prices to N500 per litre and establish a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for the new national minimum wage.
- The JNPSNC's demands are aimed at addressing the erosion of workers' purchasing power and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
