THE organised Labour in the federal public service has given the Federal Government up till Friday, February 27, to release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Labour, through the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC-Trade Union), warned that failure to meet the deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action, accusing the Federal Government of deliberately withholding funds meant for workers, despite agencies reportedly being ready to process payments once funds are released.
The wage award dispute has lingered for over two years, following government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy, with labour leaders acknowledging that while partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024.
In a letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, copies of which were also forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC);Trade Union Congress (TUC); security agencies; and affiliate unions for urgent attention and necessary action, the union reminded him that the wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.
They recalled that “the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following fuel subsidy removal and was to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.
“It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the federal government left five months unpaid ab initio; not until there was much pressure there and then did the federal government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid.”
JNPSNC added that “all relevant government agencies responsible for effecting payment are prepared to do so, but are constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.
“Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay, but this is subject to the release of funds by the Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money.”
The unions listed other financial obligations it said require urgent attention to include promotion arrears for workers promoted over three years ago; salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024; and the accurate payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.
While warning of looming industrial unrest, the unions stressed: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
They stated that workers’ entitlements should not be treated lightly, insisting employees should not be made to suffer undue hardship over delayed payments.
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