PUBLIC SERVANTS SET OCTOBER 2 WARNING STRIKE OVER PETROL PRICES AND WAGES

Nigerian public servants are preparing for a three day nationwide warning strike beginning Friday, October 2, unless the Federal Government responds to demands over petrol prices, wages and the country's next minimum wage framework.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, which represents eight public sector unions, has reaffirmed its September 30 deadline and says workers across the country have been mobilized for industrial action.

The council is demanding that the Federal Government take urgent steps to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, introduce an immediate wage award and establish a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected in 2027.

The deadline comes immediately after President Bola Tinubu's return to Nigeria following approximately four weeks in Europe, placing another major labor dispute before his administration.

WORKERS DEMAND ₦500 PETROL

At the center of the dispute is the price of Premium Motor Spirit.

The JNPSNC says current petrol prices are placing severe financial pressure on public servants and other Nigerians already struggling with the cost of living.

It wants the government to introduce an intervention mechanism capable of reducing the pump price to ₦500 per litre.

The council has proposed an intervention fund to address costs affecting petroleum operators.

It has also called on the Federal Government to ensure that crude oil is made available to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries on appropriate terms, arguing that increased domestic refining could help reduce petroleum prices.

The ₦500 figure is a demand from the labor council and has not been adopted as government policy.

₦500,000 PROPOSED UNDER 2027 WAGE STRUCTURE

Workers are also demanding significant changes to public sector wages.

The council wants an immediate wage award covering public servants at federal, state and local government levels to provide temporary relief from the rising cost of living.

Beyond the immediate wage award, the JNPSNC wants negotiations for the country's next minimum wage framework to begin well before 2027.

Under its proposal, the minimum monthly salary payable to a public servant on Grade Level 01, Step 1 would be ₦500,000 under the 2027 salary structure.

The council argues that negotiations should begin early enough to prevent delays when the next wage framework becomes due.

It has therefore called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee involving government, organized labor and other relevant stakeholders.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has also publicly backed the workers' demands, describing them as legitimate and realistic.

THREE DAY STRIKE FROM OCTOBER 2

The JNPSNC says its September 30 deadline remains unchanged.

If the government does not take what the council considers adequate steps to address the demands, public servants are expected to begin a three day warning strike on Friday, October 2.

The threatened action could affect government offices and public services across the country because the negotiating council brings together eight unions representing workers in different parts of the public sector.

They include unions representing civil servants, health workers, nurses, senior civil servants, public corporations, printing workers and agricultural employees.

The warning strike would initially last three days.

Whether it proceeds will depend on the Federal Government's response to the council's ultimatum.

PRESSURE ON TINUBU AFTER RETURN TO NIGERIA

The timing places the dispute directly before President Tinubu shortly after his return from Europe.

Tinubu arrived in Lagos on September 29 following an approximately four week trip and is expected to participate in Nigeria's Independence anniversary activities.

The JNPSNC has specifically called on the President to address workers' concerns in his Independence Day message.

The council says failure to respond adequately could trigger the October 2 industrial action.

The Federal Government could still hold talks with labor representatives before the strike begins.

For now, the JNPSNC says its workers are mobilized and its deadline remains in force.

If no agreement or intervention emerges, Nigeria could enter the Independence Day period with another significant confrontation between organized labor and the Federal Government.