Pay Outstanding Benefits or Face Action, Workers Tell Tinubu

Pay Outstanding Benefits or Face Action, Workers Tell Tinubu

The Federal Government has been given until August 11, 2026, to address outstanding financial obligations owed to public servants, as Nigerian workers warn that continued delays could trigger nationwide labour action.

The warning was issued by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which accused the government of failing to resolve key welfare issues affecting federal workers despite repeated appeals.

At the centre of the dispute are two months of unpaid wage award arrears for March and April 2026 and the delayed implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal public servants.

In a letter dated July 31, 2026, the council requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to discuss the lingering issues. However, it said previous letters sent to the ministry had received no response.

The wage award was introduced by the Federal Government in 2023 as a temporary intervention to cushion the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal and the rising cost of living. According to the workers’ council, two months of the payment remain outstanding.

The JNPSNC also called for the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, which it said was scheduled to take effect from May 1, 2026, following a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

Expressing frustration over what it described as the government’s slow response, the council warned that workers’ patience was wearing thin. It added that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had been briefed on the situation.

While no date has been fixed for a strike, the council cautioned that failure by the Federal Government to engage with workers and address their demands before the August 11 deadline could compel organised labour to consider further action.

The council clarified that the deadline was set to encourage dialogue and secure concrete commitments from the government rather than signal the immediate commencement of industrial action.

The latest warning comes as many public servants continue to battle rising living costs and growing economic pressure, with labour leaders insisting that the timely payment of approved benefits is essential to easing the burden on workers.