Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory have backed the three-day warning strike declared by public service workers over unresolved demands.
The workers, under the aegis of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), commenced the warning strike over the federal government’s alleged failure to address their demands.
The strike is intended to draw attention to workers’ grievances, particularly concerns over welfare, remuneration and the worsening economic pressures confronting public servants.
Speaking on Friday, some workers said rising costs of food, transportation and accommodation had made it increasingly difficult to meet family obligations.
Patrick Odey, a civil servant, said the economic situation had made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs.
Mr Odey said transportation costs alone had become a major burden, particularly for workers commuting from areas on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory to the Federal Secretariat.
“An average civil servant now spends about N3,000 or more daily on transportation. Those coming from farther areas can spend between N4,000 and N5,000 a day. When you compare that with your income, you are definitely not working. You cannot sustain yourself,” he said.
He said some workers had resorted to informal work arrangements and borrowing from microfinance institutions and cooperative societies to cope with their financial obligations.
Mr Odey also cited rising fuel prices and house rents as additional challenges confronting civil servants. He said some workers had been forced to park or sell their vehicles to meet obligations such as school fees and rent.
According to him, a house that previously attracted N1.5 million in annual rent could now cost as much as N4.5 million.
He said rents for self-contained apartments in some areas had also risen significantly, further increasing the financial burden on workers.
Mr Odey urged the federal government to review workers’ salaries and address disparities between the earnings of core civil servants and employees of other government institutions.
He said civil servants faced the same high cost of food, transportation and accommodation as other workers and should therefore receive improved remuneration.
Patricia Maurice, another worker, said the rising cost of living had affected her ability to provide adequately for her four children.
“I want the government to look into the prices of foodstuff and transportation. We are not asking for too much; we only want the rising cost of living to be addressed,” she said.
She acknowledged that the government had taken steps to address economic challenges but urged it to do more to cushion the effect of reforms on workers.
Agude Ajogwu said many civil servants were struggling to meet basic family needs, including payment of house rent, school fees, feeding and transportation. He said the situation had forced some workers to withdraw their children from schools because of financial difficulties.
Mr Ajogwu urged the government to give greater attention to workers’ welfare and the general economic condition of Nigerians.
Ezekiel Ikpaezu also said workers were facing significant economic hardship.
“It is what everybody knows that we are not comfortable at all. Whoever tells you that it is comfortable is not being fair,” Mr Ikpaezu said.
He urged labour leaders to continue to speak up for civil servants and ensure that their concerns were adequately presented to the authorities.
The workers called for urgent government intervention through measures aimed at improving their purchasing power and reducing pressures from rising transportation, food and accommodation costs.
The warning strike, according to the workers, underscores the need for sustained engagement between labour representatives and the federal government over issues affecting public servants.
(NAN)