The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has issued a heartfelt appeal to the federal government, urging the prompt settlement of all lingering arrears owed to dedicated employees.
In addition to this plea, the FWF implored the government to formulate a comprehensive and feasible payment structure for a cost of living allowance, with the aim of finalizing this arrangement before the close of the current month.
Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator of FWF, conveyed this critical message in an official statement provided to Daily Links on Wednesday. Emelieze underscored that already challenging economic landscape has been further strained due to the recent discontinuation of fuel subsidies.
Furthermore, Emelieze elucidated that the nation has found itself grappling with an acute cost of living crisis ever since the federal government’s decision to withdraw subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He emphasized, “The economic hardships in Nigeria have been amplified by the termination of fuel subsidies, plunging our nation into an unprecedented cost of living crisis. As we enter the third month without subsidy, the cost of goods and services has surged, while wages have remained stagnant, severely eroding the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.”
Emelieze also appealed to key stakeholders, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and the federal government, to expedite negotiations regarding a livable wage for Nigerian workers. He urged for these discussions to be concluded no later than the end of September 2023.