The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has directed it’s state coordinators to begin immediate mobilisation of workers in their states for a nationwide protest scheduled to commence on 22 April 2025, should the federal government fail to pay their outstanding five months wage award amongst other demands.
Recall that the workers had issued a 21 day ultimatum to the federal government to pay the five months N35,000 wage award owed them or risk a national action by the union.
They had also demanded the review of the N70,000 new minimum wage which was described as an “embarrassment” and a “shame” given the harsh economic realities in the country.
In a communique signed by National Coordinator/Former TUC Chairman,Oyo State, Andrew Emelieze and Secretary General FWF Itoro Obong on Sunday after a crucial meeting, the FWF agreed to write a strong protest letter to President Bola Tinubu concerning their plights, through the head of service of the federation, and copied National Assembly and the Chief Justice of the federation.
The communique partly reads: “It was agreed that by Tuesday 22nd April 2025, if our outstanding five months wage award is not paid, we shall embark on an indefinite protest nationwide.
“Mobilization for the protest to start immediately and that every federal worker is a mobilization officers. All state Coordinators are to make public their contacts and any other volunteers to coordinate should indicate.
“Convergence of the protest to be announced later. We are to condemn the failed 70k minimum wage and demand the immediate payment of 50% of our salary as cost of living allowance #COLA to be paid to all federal employees.
“We are to call to attention the plights of retired federal workers and the failure of the contributory pension scheme. The federal workers are called upon to collectively condemn the pervasive hardship in Nigeria, insecurity/killing/jungle justice and the collective hate badly building up in Nigeria.
All federal workers are to go on the social media with specific #tags in preparation for 22nd April Protest. We will not forgo our outstanding five months wage award and all other outstanding arrears owed federal employees in Nigeria.
“It is only through our collective actions that the FG can hear us.We are citizens and protest is part of our rights.It is becoming obvious that the only language the ruling elites understand is protest and we shall give it to them. That any person or group of persons that refuse to participate or sabotage/betray this struggle shall not eat the fruit of the struggle, Amen.”
