Group of workers under the banner of Federal Workers Forum, FWF, have call the attention of the President Bola Tinubu led administration to resist the pressure from the international Monitory Fund, IMF against further devaluation of the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage. The forum made the call yesterday during an expanded forum meeting held in Abuja. A communique issued to pressmen at the end of the meeting signed by, Comrade Andrew Emelieze the National Coordinator of the forum.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has lock horns with the federal government demanding for a new national minimum wage after the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS by the Tinubu led administration.
The forum, though has commended the Federal Government for the introduction of wage award, however, cautioned the government to resist the pressure of the IMF to further devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
Emelieze also called on the federal government to ensure it clears all the backlog outstanding arrears owed the federal workers before they will announce the new minimum wage on Workers Day, May 1, 2024.
The statement said “While we appreciate Mr President for the ₦35,000 wage award, we make bold to say that the ₦35,000 palliative did not solve the economic challenges faced by the federal government workers in Nigeria. It has been a hellish existence for the federal workers since the removal of subsidy on petrol and the subsequent devaluation of the naira.
He added, “That the new national minimum wage takes off officially on April 1st, 2024 and that we expect the announcement of the new national minimum wage latest on Workers’ day May 1st, 2024.
“Our position is very clear, President Tinubu has promised a living wage, federal workers will not accept anything less. With the present cost of living crisis ₦300,000 which is not up to 1% of the President’s salary, will not be too much for a federal minimum wage.
“For daily survival, a worker will need an average of ₦2,000 daily transport and at least ₦2.000 per meal hence, a worker will be needing an average of ₦10,000 ( at around $1 per hour) to manage to survive daily.
“We call for justice, we demand for a decent, fair and just living wage for the federal work force. We will resist and reject anything less than a living wage. Our government should also not forget to clear all outstanding arrears owed the federal workers.
“The Federal government is also called upon not to in anyway devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage. Federal workers have suffered enough, it is time to end poverty among the federal government workers,” he said
