The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, has called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to urgently meet with labour leaders over the non-payment of two months’ wage award and the delayed implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal workers.
The union wants the meeting to take place on or before August 11, warning that continued delays could trigger unrest across the federal public service.
In a letter signed by the council’s National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of the National Chairman, Benjamin Yanto, the union expressed frustration that two earlier letters sent to the minister had gone unanswered.
According to the JNPSNC, the meeting is intended to find a lasting solution to the outstanding welfare issues and prevent what it described as a growing threat of industrial action.
The council said its key demands are the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the payment of the outstanding wage awards for March and April 2026.
It noted that the allowance was approved through a circular signed by the commission’s Executive Chairman, Eyo Nta, and was supposed to take effect from May 1, 2026, but has yet to be implemented.
The union also argued that the wage awards for March and April should have been paid alongside workers’ salaries for those months.
It recalled writing to the minister on May 5, 2026, requesting payment of the outstanding wage awards, before sending another letter on July 9, 2026, seeking both the allowance implementation and settlement of the wage arrears.
According to the council, neither letter received a response.
The union said the silence from the finance ministry has increased frustration among federal workers, with many now believing the delay is intentional.
It accused the minister of failing to direct the Accountant General of the Federation to process the outstanding payments and implement the approved allowance.
The council warned that its latest appeal is an effort to prevent workers from taking more drastic steps if the issues remain unresolved.
The JNPSNC is the umbrella body representing trade unions across the federal public service on matters relating to salaries, allowances and working conditions.
The latest warning comes amid increasing pressure on the Federal Government to fulfil agreements reached with organised labour after the removal of fuel subsidy and the introduction of measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
Although the Federal Government introduced a temporary monthly wage award pending the implementation of a new national minimum wage, labour unions say payments for March and April 2026 remain outstanding.
They also insist that many Ministries, Departments and Agencies have yet to implement the 40 per cent peculiar allowance despite the directive from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, a situation they say is fueling fresh dissatisfaction among workers.
