By George Omagbemi
Public sector workers have given the Federal Government until Wednesday, September 30, to address their demands or face a three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2.
The ultimatum was issued by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) amid growing concerns over petrol prices, workers’ purchasing power and the need for a new national minimum wage.
The council is demanding a reduction of petrol prices to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.
JNPSNC National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the council wrote to President Bola Tinubu on September 21 but expressed concern over what it described as the lack of concrete action on its demands.
The workers are also calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations on the proposed new minimum wage.
On petrol prices, the council wants the government to reduce landing costs and ensure crude supplies to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries under terms that could support lower pump prices.
The proposed strike would begin October 2 if the government fails to meet the workers’ demands by September 30.
The development puts the Federal Government under fresh pressure as workers grapple with the rising cost of fuel and other essentials.
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