Federal Workers Urge Tinubu to Pay Outstanding Arrears and Reverse PMS Prices

Federal workers, represented by the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), have appealed to the government led by President Bola Tinubu for the payment of outstanding salaries and entitlements. This plea was made during an online meeting on Monday, with a communiqué issued afterward by National Coordinator Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

In the statement, the FWF highlighted that the federal government still owes poorly compensated workers several years of promotion arrears, backlogs of duty tour allowances, eight months of 25/35% salary increments, five months of wage awards, and other financial obligations, including the new national minimum wage and various earned allowances.

Emelieze expressed urgent concern over the rising cost of living, stating, “Mr. President, the situation is dire and distressing. Many Nigerians are suffering from hunger, and your policies have led to unprecedented hardship. Daily life has become a struggle for survival.”

He criticized the impact of removing the petrol subsidy, claiming it has left many citizens in despair, with rising suicide rates reflecting the severity of the situation. “Your policies are tantamount to capital punishment for the people,” he stated, noting that prices for essential goods and services have skyrocketed, severely affecting the average Nigerian.

The communiqué further pointed out that federal workers are also struggling under the weight of these economic pressures. Emelieze noted that the price of petrol has surged dramatically, from ₦187 to ₦1,300, with little support provided for workers facing the consequences of these changes. He emphasized that the ₦35,000 wage award was abruptly discontinued, and five months of wage awards remain unpaid.

Highlighting the inadequate increase in the national minimum wage, he said, “The addition of only ₦40,000 to our salaries is insufficient and an embarrassment.” He urged the government to reevaluate the proposed new minimum wage of ₦70,000, asserting that it fails to address the real needs of federal workers.

In conclusion, Emelieze called for immediate government intervention, emphasizing that many federal workers are struggling to survive on their current salaries and urging a reevaluation of their financial circumstances.