Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from October 2 if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over petrol prices, wage relief and negotiations for a new minimum wage.
The council said its September 30 deadline remained in force, urging the government to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre and approve a wage award for workers.
The JNPSNC also demanded the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
The council comprises eight public sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Others are the 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.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the council had mobilised public servants nationwide for the proposed industrial action.
The council had, on September 21, written to the Federal Government outlining its demands and warning that failure to act by September 30 would trigger the warning strike.
On petrol prices, the workers demanded urgent measures to bring the cost of Premium Motor Spirit down to N500 per litre. They also called for an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
The council further urged the Federal Government to make crude oil available to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to boost domestic refining and help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
The workers also demanded an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs, while calling for the early establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate the next minimum wage.
According to the council, failure to address the demands by September 30 would leave it with “no option” but to commence the three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2.
The JNPSNC also said it expected the President’s Independence Day address on October 1 to address the concerns raised by the workers.