WORKERS THREATEN OCTOBER STRIKE OVER PETROL PRICE AND WAGE DEMANDS

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council has reaffirmed its September 30 deadline for the Federal Government to address workers’ concerns over the high cost of petrol, wage awards and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The council, which represents eight public sector unions, said public servants would begin a three-day warning strike from October 2 if the government fails to meet its demands.

The workers are asking the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve a wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The JNPSNC had written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, outlining the demands and warning of industrial action if they were not addressed by the September 30 deadline.

In a statement issued by the council’s National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, the workers said the current petrol price, which they put between N1,450 and N2,500 per litre depending on location, was putting significant pressure on workers and their families.

The council called for measures to reduce petrol prices, including intervention to address landing costs and arrangements for crude oil supplies to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries to support domestic refining.

The workers also demanded an immediate wage award to help public servants cope with the prevailing economic conditions.

In addition, the council urged the government to establish a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027. It said early negotiations would help prevent delays in implementing the new wage after it is agreed upon and passed into law.

The JNPSNC said it had mobilised public servants nationwide for the proposed three-day warning strike if the government fails to act by the September 30 deadline.

The council stressed that the issues should be addressed urgently, including in the President’s Independence Day address, to prevent the planned industrial action.