The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has expressed concern about the suspension of the N35,000 salary award that the Federal Government had been providing to workers to help them cope with the economic fallout from the elimination of fuel subsidies.
The workers said that of the six months that they had been promised, the Federal Government had only paid for one.
In a statement provided to the media, FWF National Coordinator Comrade Andrew Emelieze said that since the gasoline subsidy was removed, the workers are going through difficult times.
He pointed out that although prices are rising and a bag of rice now costs more than N60,000, the minimum salary has been at N30,000 per month.
He said:
“Federal Government workers nationwide have been going through tortuous moments since the removal of petroleum subsidy. Our take home pay has been made meaningless as a result of the rising cost of living crisis and the constant devaluation of our naira. Salaries have remained the same while prices of goods and services have tripled within this period.
“We are surprised to note that the meager 35,000 naira wage award grudgingly given to the federal workers by the federal government to cushion the effects of the economic crisis caused by the subsidy removal have been stopped. The federal government paid only one month out of the six months promised.
“We the federal government workers feel betrayed by the federal government. Our employer has been very unfair and unfaithful to us. We have not been treated as if we matter. We are citizens, we are not beggers and we are supposed to be worthy of a fair wage. We the federal workers feel cheated.
“Civil servants have been financially embarrassed. Minimum wage has remained at 30,000 naira monthly while prices of everything continue to soar and a bag of rice now is above 60,000 naira.
“Most unfortunately, it is within this period that salaries are been delayed, some workers are being blocked from receiving salaries, promotion arrears not paid, etc.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
