Tensions have escalated between organized labor and the Federal Government over allegations of the government’s failure to sustain the payment of the N35,000 wage award to workers.

Federal Civil Service employees, in separate interviews on Monday, revealed that the Federal Government had only honored the N35,000 wage award for the month of September.

The payment was instituted in response to President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy upon assuming office, aiming to alleviate the hardships caused by the subsidy removal.

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A memo signed by Ekpo Nta, Chairman of the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission, specified that the wage award would take effect from September 1, 2023.

Contrary to expectations, investigations by our correspondent revealed that the government has only disbursed the wage award for September.

Concerns have been raised among civil servants, with some expressing confusion and frustration due to the lack of official communication on the matter.

A senior civil servant from a core ministry commented, “The wage award was only paid once, and I assume that was for September. Since then, we have not received another.

We are all confused as there has been no official communication from the government.”

Another civil servant echoed the sentiment, stating, “What you heard is true. We have not received anything else other than the initial wage award which was paid.

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The government cannot continue to let the citizens suffer. Our take-home salaries cannot even take us home any longer at this point.”

In response to these concerns, Benson Upah, the Head of Information at the Nigeria Labour Congress, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “This betrays the government’s dishonorable intentions and is completely unacceptable.”

He hinted at potential actions by the NLC, dependent on decisions made by the congress’s appropriate organs.

However, Bawa Mokwa, the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, sought to allay fears, assuring that plans were underway to ensure civil servants receive their wage awards. “The process is ongoing.

They will be paid. The process to pay the wage awards has commenced,” Mokwa stated.

Meanwhile, an analysis of the 2024 appropriation budget by the Budget Office of the Federation revealed that the Federal Government has budgeted N1tn for minimum wage adjustments, promotion arrears, and severance benefits for civil servants.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress also expressed opposition to any unilateral imposition of a new minimum wage by the government, emphasizing the importance of collective negotiations involving all stakeholders. Talks on the new minimum wage are expected to commence soon.