Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government fails to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award.
The council also wants the government to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, JNPSNC National Secretary Gbenga Olowoyo, who is also General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), said the council’s September 30 deadline remains in force.
Public servants demand N500 petrol price
The JNPSNC said the Federal Government must urgently take steps to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.
It also demanded an immediate wage award for workers to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
“The three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre,” the statement reads.
The council said failure to address the demands by September 30 would leave workers with no option but to embark on a three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2.
Workers demand new wage award
The public service unions said the Federal Government should approve a wage award to support workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians affected by economic hardship.
The council had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands.
According to Olowoyo, the letter also called for negotiations on a new national minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.
He said the council was displeased that no visible action had been taken more than a week after the demands were submitted.
JNPSNC seeks intervention on petrol costs
The council said the government could reduce petrol prices by providing an intervention fund to address the landing cost of the commodity and support oil and gas operators.
“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products,” Olowoyo said.
The JNPSNC said petrol prices currently ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 per litre, and reaching as high as N2,500 in some locations, were placing severe pressure on Nigerian workers.
The council said the high cost of fuel was making it increasingly difficult for workers and other Nigerians to maintain normal and dignified lives.
Workers demand minimum wage negotiations
The JNPSNC also called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
Olowoyo said the demand was aimed at preventing administrative or procedural delays that could affect implementation once a new wage is negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.
The council said urgent action on its demands would help public servants maintain their loyalty, commitment and productivity.
Eight unions make up JNPSNC
The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, and Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.
Other members are the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
