The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has expressed concern that the Federal Government has halted the N35,000 wage increase intended to alleviate the economic crisis resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies.
According to the workers, the government has only paid one month out of the promised six months.
The National Coordinator of FWF, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, stated that the workers are facing difficult times since the fuel subsidy removal.
He also highlighted that despite the rising prices, the minimum wage remains at N30,000 and a bag of rice now costs over N60,000.
“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 said.
