Civil servants have threatened an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address their welfare demands. The warning follows a three-day nationwide warning strike that was held over concerns about salaries, fuel prices, taxes and workers’ declining purchasing power.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) said further industrial action could be taken if the government fails to respond to the issues raised by workers.
The council said public servants were facing increasing financial pressure. It also called for urgent action to improve their welfare and working conditions.
Civil Servants Strike Over Salaries and Taxes
The workers’ demands cover several issues affecting their daily lives. They want better salaries and allowances as the cost of living continues to rise.
They have also raised concerns about fuel prices. According to the council, high transport and living costs have reduced workers’ purchasing power.
The workers are also seeking a reduction in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax deductions. They argued that higher deductions have reduced their take-home pay at a time when household expenses remain high.
JNPSNC National Secretary Gbenga Olowoyo said the council had started sensitising workers across the country about its next steps.
The council estimated that about 65 per cent of public servants joined the warning strike nationwide. The council reported full compliance in Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe states.
2027 Minimum Wage Talks Add to Dispute
The council is also demanding the immediate creation of a tripartite committee to begin discussions on a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
It wants the government to engage labour representatives on the issue and other outstanding welfare concerns.
The warning has raised concerns about a possible disruption of government services if the dispute continues. An indefinite strike could affect public offices and other services that depend on civil servants.
However, the council has not yet declared an indefinite strike. The council has only warned that it could declare such action if the government fails to address the workers’ concerns.
The Federal Government is therefore under pressure to engage the workers and resolve the outstanding issues before the dispute escalates.
For now, attention remains on the next steps from both the government and the labour representatives as workers await a response to their demands.
