PUBLIC SERVANTS BEGIN NATIONWIDE 3-DAY WARNING STRIKE OVER RISING COST OF LIVING

PUBLIC SERVANTS BEGIN NATIONWIDE 3-DAY WARNING STRIKE OVER RISING COST OF LIVING

Public servants across the federal, state and local government levels have commenced a three-day warning strike following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address demands aimed at easing the economic hardship facing workers.

The industrial action, declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), began on Friday, October 2, and is expected to end on Sunday, October 4.

In a circular signed by the National Secretary of the council, Olowoyo Gbenga, the union said the strike became necessary due to worsening living conditions and the government’s failure to respond to requests earlier submitted to President Bola Tinubu.

Among the demands of the workers are a reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, payment of a wage award, and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council directed workers across the three tiers of government to participate in the industrial action, saying it was intended to draw attention to the challenges confronting public servants nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed support for the strike and renewed its call for measures to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living on Nigerians.

In its Independence Day message, the labour centre said workers continue to grapple with increasing transportation, food, housing and education costs, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy had significantly worsened economic conditions.

The NLC called for an immediate reduction in petrol prices, implementation of a nationwide wage award and the commencement of discussions on a new minimum wage.

The congress also urged the government to reduce the cost of governance, improve transparency in public spending and increase investment in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, roads and other social infrastructure.

It further raised concerns over youth unemployment, migration and insecurity, describing them as interconnected challenges requiring urgent government intervention.

The labour movement maintained that workers should be free to make independent political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections and cautioned against actions capable of undermining the democratic process.