The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage being considered by state governors, describing it as inadequate and incapable of addressing the harsh economic realities confronting Nigerian workers.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a nationwide meeting and opinion poll conducted by the forum to assess the impact of rising hardship, insecurity and declining living standards on federal workers.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the forum’s National Coordinator, Andrew Emelieze, National Secretary, Ayo Ogundele, and National Mobilisation Officer, Aminu Yerima.
The rejection comes days after the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed that governors were considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000. According to the NGF chairman, the proposal is aimed at cushioning the effects of inflation, rising living costs and growing financial pressure on workers, while balancing the fiscal sustainability of state governments.
Consultations are said to be ongoing between state governments, the Federal Government and organised labour on the matter.
However, the FWF said the proposed figure falls significantly short of what workers require to survive under current economic conditions.
The forum argued that many of the same governors now advocating a N100,000 minimum wage had previously expressed reservations about implementing the existing N70,000 national minimum wage.
“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,” the forum stated.
The workers’ body described the proposal as a “Greek gift” and insisted that any review of workers’ wages must be based on transparent negotiations and current economic realities rather than political considerations.
“The N100,000 proposal is not a living wage. We condemn and reject this proposal in all its forms and entirety,” the communiqué stated.
The forum also expressed disappointment with the implementation of the current N70,000 minimum wage, alleging that federal workers received only a flat addition of about N40,000 across salary grades and that statutory deductions further eroded the gains from the increase.
According to the forum, workers continue to struggle with soaring inflation, escalating food prices, transportation costs, the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the continued depreciation of the naira.
The group further lamented the non-implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and the non-payment of several outstanding entitlements, including wage award arrears, promotion arrears, Duty Tour Allowances and other benefits owed to workers over the years.
Beyond economic concerns, the forum painted a grim picture of the country’s security situation, warning that workers and ordinary Nigerians are increasingly vulnerable to kidnappings, killings and violent crimes.
It noted that educational institutions have become recurring targets of criminal attacks, while many kidnapped victims, including schoolchildren, remain in captivity across different parts of the country.
“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 FWF therefore called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to tackle insecurity, secure the release of kidnapped victims and halt the wave of killings across the country.
It also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare an indefinite nationwide strike over worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
According to the communiqué, participants in the poll overwhelmingly supported nationwide industrial action and mass protests until meaningful steps are taken to improve living and security conditions.
The forum further demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding workers’ arrears and called for the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to mitigate the impact of inflation on workers’ incomes.
In addition, it advocated the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address what it described as deep-rooted constitutional and governance challenges contributing to the nation’s current difficulties.
The workers’ body issued a 30-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to address insecurity, kidnappings, killings and worsening 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,” the forum declared.
The FWF warned that continued government inaction on workers’ welfare and national security could further deepen public frustration and social discontent, stressing that the constitutional responsibility of government remains the security and welfare of the people.
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