Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed plans to embark on a three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over fuel prices, wage awards and a new minimum wage.
The council said the strike would begin in October if the government failed to meet its demands by this month.
The JNPSNC is demanding that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, be reduced to N500 per litre, alongside an immediate wage award for workers.
It is also calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
In a statement signed by the council’s National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, the workers said the September 30 deadline remained “sacrosanct”.
“The concerns of Nigerian workers can no longer be ignored,” the council said.
The JNPSNC said the current petrol price, which it claimed ranges from N1,450 to N2,000 per litre and can reach N2,500 in some areas, was placing severe pressure on workers and their dependants.
“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers,” the council said.
It proposed that the government establish an intervention fund to address fuel landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
The council also urged the Federal Government to ensure crude oil is supplied to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to increase domestic refining and reduce petroleum prices.
The public servants also want the government to approve an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
“The Federal Government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions,” the council said.
It said such action would help public servants maintain their commitment and productivity.
Minimum Wage Negotiations
The council further called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
According to the JNPSNC, early negotiations would prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect implementation once the new wage is negotiated and passed into law.
“Failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before ending of this month will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike,” the council said.
The council said it expected President Bola Tinubu to address the issues in his Independence Day speech.
The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Others are the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees; Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers; National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers; and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
