Friday June 16, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide peaceful protest on Monday, demanding an upward review of workers’ wages and improved welfare packages for federal employees.
The forum said the decision followed resolutions reached during an emergency virtual meeting involving federal workers from across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Andrew Emelieze, the group said demonstrations would take place simultaneously at federal secretariats nationwide, with participants also expected to picket selected government institutions.
“We have also encouraged federal workers to wear black attire every Monday as a symbol of protest against insecurity and the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
“Collective action has become necessary to draw attention to the plight of workers and the urgent need for responsible governance and effective leadership,” he said.
Emelieze explained that the planned action was prompted by what he described as the incomplete implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, noting that many federal workers were yet to fully benefit from the policy.
He also decried the non-payment of outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and other benefits owed to workers.
“The government must immediately pay the outstanding wage award balance, fully disburse the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and clear all promotion arrears owed federal workers,” he said.
According to him, the current minimum wage no longer reflects prevailing economic conditions, stressing that it should be reviewed to match the rising cost of living.
“To continue to pay N70,000 minimum wage under the current economic realities is unacceptable. The wage must be reviewed immediately,” Emelieze said.
The FWF coordinator further urged the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to address insecurity and ensure the rescue of kidnapped children in Oyo State, as well as other victims across the country.
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of the kidnapped children in Oyo State and all other citizens being held captive across the country,” he said.
The forum also called for the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for federal workers or, alternatively, the immediate resumption of wage award payments.
It further appealed to the government to provide free education for the children of federal workers in federal institutions, establish a functional car loan scheme, and introduce a special family support allowance to help civil servants cope with growing economic pressures.
In addition, the group urged authorities to reduce or remove tariffs on essential goods and services as part of measures to ease the cost of living and improve citizens’ welfare.
Emelieze also expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the silence of organised labour over issues affecting workers and Nigerians generally.
“We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to immediately declare a two-day national strike and protest against insecurity and hardship in the country,” he said.
*Platinum POST
