Public servants have warned of a possible indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over wages, fuel prices, taxation and the proposed 2027 minimum wage negotiations.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which ended its three-day warning strike on Sunday, urged the government to use the lull to open negotiations with its leadership.
The council’s National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, said strategic meetings were already underway to mobilise public servants nationwide for the “next struggle” should the government fail to respond to their demands.
Olowoyo put compliance with the warning strike at about 65 per cent nationwide, with full compliance recorded in Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe states.
The workers are demanding a reduction and stabilisation of petrol prices, improved salaries and allowances, and the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate the 2027 national minimum wage.
Public servants also raised concerns over deductions under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, saying high taxes have further eroded their purchasing power amid rising living costs.
A civil servant, Erica Eniola, called for an urgent review of income tax deductions, arguing that the current burden was disproportionately affecting workers.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Federal Government of failing to engage meaningfully with organised labour, saying repeated attempts to open discussions had yielded little progress.
The development comes as the Federal Government undertakes a six-week review of the country’s tax reforms, including VAT thresholds, withholding tax, capital gains treatment and multiple taxation.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the review was aimed at addressing implementation gaps, ambiguities and unintended consequences in the new tax regime.
The JNPSNC had previously threatened industrial action if the government failed to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.
