The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a warning to the Federal Government to promptly disburse the promised ₦35,000 wage award to federal civil servants. The call came during a press briefing in Abuja following the congress’ National Executive Council emergency meeting.
Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, emphasized that although the initial payment for September had been made, civil servants have yet to receive the wage award since October. He urged the government to expedite the payments without any delay, citing the rising discontent among the affected workforce.
The TUC president emphasized the need for the government to take decisive action to alleviate the financial strain on workers caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. He urged both the federal and state governments, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to prioritize addressing this issue to avert potential crises.
Osifo stated, “We demand that they immediately pay this ₦35,000 wage award to the bank accounts of the federal civil servants without any excuses. We want the government to tighten their belts, governments at all levels – the Federal Government, state, and local governments because a situation where they are asking Nigerians to keep tightening their belt and they (government officials) are living in affluence is not acceptable.”