Civil servants demand accountability on wage issues

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, has expressed its frustration with the government’s failure to adequately address workers’ economic challenges, from the implementation of the minimum wage to pension reforms.

Speaking at ASCSN’s End of Year Celebration on Wednesday in Lagos, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Shehu Muhammed, emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to workers’ welfare, particularly in light of rising inflation and economic hardship.

“Inflation has rendered the 250,000 Naira living wage we previously proposed outdated,” Muhammed said.

“Governors claiming to pay N70,000 or N80,000 minimum wage are playing politics, as these figures rarely translate into meaningful increases for workers across all levels,” he noted.

He also accused the federal government of mishandling the removal of the fuel subsidy, saying the move worsened the financial burden on Nigerians.

“Removing subsidies without functional refineries to ensure local fuel production has deepened the economic crisis,” Muhammed stated.

“Workers bear the brunt of this poorly executed policy,” Muhammed added.

Turning to pensions, Muhammed criticized the contributory pension scheme for failing to deliver on its promises.

“Employers are not remitting their share, leaving retirees stranded without benefits.

“We need amendments to enforce accountability and ensure workers can access their funds upon retirement,” he said.

Muhammed further highlighted the neglect of public servants’ allowances, such as transportation and travel allocations.

“Traveling across the country on current allowances is impossible. These rates, set over a decade ago, no longer reflect today’s realities,” he noted.

The union also linked unemployment and rising insecurity to the government’s failure to create sustainable job opportunities.

“Young people are leaving school with no prospects, fueling criminal activities. The government must implement policies that provide jobs and support for small businesses,” Muhammed asserted.

He pledged that the union would push for better accountability in upcoming negotiations and release a detailed report identifying states that have failed to implement the current minimum wage.

“Workers deserve more than political promises, they deserve action,” he concluded.