Federal workers storm streets in Oyo as strike over unpaid wages paralyses government offices

DDM News

Federal government workers in Oyo State commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday over unpaid wage awards.

The workers, under the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), gathered at the Federal Secretariat in Ibadan to declare the action according to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM).

National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and Secretary General, Comrade Itoro Obong, led the declaration on Tuesday.

They emphasized that the strike followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to the federal government.

Speaking at the protest, Emelieze condemned the government’s refusal to address the workers’ outstanding demands.

The workers are demanding immediate payment of five months’ wage award arrears withheld by the federal government.

They also seek the implementation and payment of arrears of a 40% peculiar allowance.

Additionally, they demand a review of what they described as heavy taxation on their already poor salaries.

Emelieze stated that federal workers across Nigeria have now joined the nationwide indefinite protest for justice.

He lamented that the government’s failure to act forced the workers into embarking on the strike.

Day one of the protest was peaceful despite the heavy deployment of security operatives around federal facilities.

Workers occupied federal secretariats in several states, demonstrating determination to press home their demands.

FWF leaders vowed to sustain the strike until the federal government meets all their outlined demands.

They accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of worsening hardship through anti-worker policies.

Emelieze described the current administration’s handling of workers’ welfare as insensitive and harmful.

“Our demands are straightforward and legitimate,” Obong declared while addressing the protesting workers.

“We insist on immediate payment of wage award arrears and the peculiar allowance alongside a fairer taxation regime,” he added.

The workers expressed frustration over the government’s neglect despite the country’s worsening economic challenges.

They noted that withholding their rightful entitlements amid inflation was unjust and inhumane.

The FWF leaders urged President Tinubu to urgently reconsider his policies towards Nigerian workers.

They accused the administration of setting a dangerous precedent by undermining federal employees’ rights and welfare.

Operations in several federal offices in Oyo State have already been paralyzed by the ongoing strike.

There are fears that prolonged inaction may lead to a nationwide collapse of public services.

As of press time, there has been no official response from the federal government to the workers’ demands.

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