By JOAN NWAGWU

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) says it will stage a nationwide protest on Monday to demand an immediate review of workers’ wages and improved welfare.

The forum, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Andrew Emelieze, on Thursday in Abuja, said the proposed protest followed the outcome of an emergency online meeting of federal workers across the federation.

Emelieze noted that the planned protest would be peaceful and held simultaneously across federal secretariats nationwide, including the picketing of selected government institutions.

“We have also encouraged federal workers to wear black attire every Monday as a symbol of protest against insecurity and the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

“Collective action has become necessary to draw attention to the plight of workers and the urgent need for responsible governance and effective leadership,” he said.

Emelieze said the action became necessary because many federal workers were yet to fully benefit from the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.

He also lamented the non-payment of the outstanding wage award balance, promotion arrears, 40 per cent peculiar allowance and other entitlements owed federal workers.

“The government must immediately pay the outstanding wage award balance, fully disburse the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and clear all promotion arrears owed federal workers,” he said.

The FWF coordinator described the current minimum wage as inadequate in view of prevailing economic realities and called for an urgent review to reflect the rising cost of living.

“To continue to pay N70,000 minimum wage under the current economic realities is unacceptable. The wage must be reviewed immediately,” Emelieze said.

He also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and secure the release of kidnapped children in Oyo State and other victims nationwide.

“We call on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of the kidnapped children in Oyo State and all other citizens being held captive across the country,” he said.

Emelieze further called for the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for workers or the immediate resumption of wage award payments.

He urged government to provide free education for the children of federal workers in federal institutions and establish a functional car loan scheme.

The coordinator also advocated the introduction of a special family support allowance to assist civil servants in meeting their family responsibilities amid prevailing economic challenges.

He further urged government to reduce or remove tariffs on essential goods and services to ease the burden on citizens and improve living conditions.

Emelieze, however, expressed concern over what he described as the silence of organised labour on issues affecting workers and the general populace.

“We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to immediately declare a two-day national strike and protest against insecurity and hardship in the country,” he said. (NAN)

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