The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has expressed dismay over the suspension of the N35,000 wage relief awarded by the Federal Government to alleviate the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
Workers allege that, contrary to the promised six months, the government has only disbursed payment for one month.
Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator of FWF, conveyed the workers’ distress in a statement issued on Thursday.
Emelieze highlighted the challenging circumstances faced by federal workers since the removal of the petroleum subsidy, emphasizing the disparity between stagnant minimum wages and the escalating cost of living.
He stressed that minimum wage has remained at N30,000 monthly while prices continue to soar and a bag of rice now is above N60,000.
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Emelieze stated, “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,” he disclosed.