Federal workers under the aegis of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) have announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on Monday, demanding an upward review of workers' wages, improved welfare and the immediate payment of outstanding entitlements.
The decision was reached during an emergency online meeting of federal workers across the country, according to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Forum's National Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Emelieze.
Emelieze said the protest would be peaceful and held simultaneously at federal secretariats nationwide, with participants also expected to picket selected government institutions.
As part of the demonstration, federal workers have been encouraged to wear black every Monday as a symbol of mourning over worsening insecurity and the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
According to him, the protest became necessary because many federal workers are yet to fully benefit from the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
He also accused the government of failing to pay 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 implement the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and clear all promotion arrears," he said.
The FWF described the current N70,000 minimum wage as inadequate in view of the country's rising cost of living, insisting that workers can no longer survive on the present salary structure.
Beyond salary-related demands, the forum urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and secure the release of kidnapped children in Oyo State and other victims across the country.
It also called for the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), the resumption of wage award payments, free education for the children of federal workers in federal institutions, a functional car loan scheme and a special family support allowance to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
The forum further appealed to the government to reduce tariffs on essential goods and services to ease the burden on Nigerians.
Emelieze also criticised the silence of organised labour over the worsening economic situation, urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare a two-day nationwide strike and protest against insecurity and the rising cost of living.
The planned protest is expected to test the Federal Government's response to growing dissatisfaction among civil servants over wages, welfare and the country's economic challenges.
