Federal Workers Forum Rejects N100,000 Minimum Wage, Calls for Nationwide Strike

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has dismissed the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, saying the amount falls short of what Nigerian workers need to cope with current economic realities.

The forum made its position known in a communiqué issued after a meeting and opinion poll focused on the challenges of hardship and insecurity facing workers nationwide.

Signed by National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze, National Secretary Ayo Ogundele and National Mobilisation Officer Aminu Yerima, the statement highlighted concerns over rising living costs, unpaid benefits and worsening insecurity.

According to the forum, the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage has not significantly improved workers’ welfare or purchasing power.

The group alleged that workers only received a flat N40,000 increase across salary structures and that deductions further eroded the benefits.

It also criticised the government for failing to implement the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and settle outstanding wage award arrears and other benefits owed to workers.

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

The organisation noted that inflation, fuel subsidy removal, the depreciation of the naira and rising costs of living continue to place enormous pressure on workers.

On the proposed N100,000 minimum wage, the forum questioned the sincerity of governors promoting the idea.

“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 stated.

The forum maintained that the proposal does not meet the standard of a living wage and should not be accepted.

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

Beyond economic concerns, the forum lamented the worsening security situation across the country, saying many workers and citizens live in fear of kidnappings, killings and other criminal activities.

It noted that schools have increasingly become targets of attacks and expressed concern that many victims, including children, remain in captivity.

“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 urgently address insecurity, release kidnapped victims and end the killings occurring in different parts of the country.

It also urged the NLC and TUC to mobilise workers for an indefinite nationwide strike and supported planned nationwide protests beginning June 1.

Additionally, the group demanded the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance, payment of outstanding arrears and the convening of a sovereign national conference to address structural challenges facing the country.

The forum concluded by issuing a 30-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to address insecurity, kidnappings, killings and economic hardship.

“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.

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