The Trade Union Congress (TUC) delivered a stern warning to the federal government on Tuesday, demanding the immediate payment of the N35,000 wage award to all federal civil servants. This payment was agreed upon during a meeting held after the removal of the fuel subsidy.
TUC warns the federal government to promptly pay the agreed N35,000 wage to federal civil servants after the fuel subsidy removal
TUC President emphasizes the urgency and cautions against government officials living in affluence while citizens face economic challenges
On Tuesday, the Trade Union Congress, a key player in advocating for workers’ rights, delivered a stern warning to the federal government. The message is clear: honor the agreement and promptly pay the N35,000 wage to federal civil servants. The TUC’s emphasis on urgency indicates a growing impatience within the labor movement, reflecting the tangible economic challenges faced by workers in the wake of the subsidy removal.
The removal of the fuel subsidy is a contentious issue with wide-ranging economic implications. While the government argues that this move is necessary for economic sustainability and to redirect resources to critical sectors, critics point to the potential inflationary impact on the cost of living. The TUC’s call for the N35,000 wage award can be viewed as a countermeasure to ensure that the burden of economic adjustments does not disproportionately fall on the shoulders of the working class.
Central to the TUC’s demand is a call for economic equity. The union emphasizes the need for fair distribution of resources and cautions against a scenario where government officials enjoy affluence while citizens, especially civil servants, grapple with economic challenges. This sentiment resonates with the broader narrative of ensuring that economic policies prioritize the well-being of the masses.
During an ongoing press briefing in Abuja following an emergency National Executive Council meeting, TUC President Festus Osifo emphasized the urgency of fulfilling the wage agreement. Osifo revealed that, according to reliable information, workers had only received the one-month payment intended for September, and a limited number had been paid for the second time.
Osifo did not mince words, cautioning the federal government and all 36 state governments, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to address the challenges faced by workers due to the removal of the fuel subsidy. He urged them to take proactive measures to prevent a new crisis from emerging in the country.
“We want the government to tighten its belts at all levels—the federal government, the state, and local governments. A situation where they ask Nigerians to tighten their belts while living in affluence is not acceptable,” declared Osifo, underscoring the need for government officials to empathize with the economic realities faced by the citizens.
As the TUC issues this ultimatum, the ball is now in the government’s court to respond to the workers’ demands and potentially avert any looming crisis.
