Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, have threatened to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike from October 2 if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over petrol prices, wage awards and preparations for a new minimum wage.
The council issued the warning as workers expressed concern over the rising cost of living and the impact of higher petrol prices on their purchasing power.
The JNPSNC gave the Federal Government until September 30 to respond to its demands, warning that failure to act by the deadline would trigger the proposed industrial action.
Workers Demand Lower Petrol Price
One of the council’s major demands is for the Federal Government to take measures to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre.
The council said petrol prices ranging from about N1,450 to N2,500 per litre in different parts of the country were placing additional pressure on workers and their dependants.
It proposed government intervention to address landing costs and urged authorities to make crude oil available to the Dangote Refinery and other local refinery operators as part of efforts to reduce the cost of petrol.
Demand for Immediate Wage Award
The public servants are also demanding the immediate payment of a wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The council said an additional wage intervention was necessary because the rising prices of transportation, food and other essential goods had continued to erode workers’ incomes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has backed the demand, describing the call for a wage award and lower petrol prices as legitimate demands requiring urgent attention.
New Minimum Wage Negotiation
The JNPSNC is also calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The council said early commencement of the process would allow negotiations and other statutory procedures to be completed without creating a gap between the existing wage framework and the next minimum wage arrangement.
The council had earlier proposed that the new wage structure should provide for a minimum salary of N500,000 for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1.
Strike Threat
The JNPSNC said it had mobilised public servants across the country for the proposed three-day warning strike if the Federal Government failed to address the issues by September 30.
The council also called on President Bola Tinubu to use his October 1 Independence Day address to respond to the workers’ concerns.
The proposed action is currently a three-day warning strike, beginning October 2, rather than an announcement of an indefinite nationwide shutdown.
The development comes amid renewed concerns from organised labour over petrol prices and the delayed implementation of some workers’ welfare measures.
