…alleges deliberate short-changing of workers, issues March 30 ultimatum

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has blasted the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) over the delay in issuing the circular for the payment of the 40 percent peculiar allowance to federal public servants, alleging that the Commission’s action amounts to deliberate short-changing of workers.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Ekpo O. U. Nta, the national leadership of the JNPSNC said the prolonged inaction has denied thousands of workers their rightful entitlement tied to the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.

The letter, titled “Matters Affecting Payments of 40% Peculiar Allowance to Entire Federal Public Servants, Non-Issuance of Circular on Occupational Hazard Allowance to Agricultural Professionals in the Public Service and Other Allied Issues,” and jointly signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Anto Uyanto mni, and the National Secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, expressed frustration over what the union described as “unnecessary foot-dragging.”

According to the union, “The national leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council JNPSNC Trade Union Side felt constrained to bring to the attention of the management of the National Salaries, income and Wages Commission the unnecessary foot dragging in the issuance of the appropriate circular and table that will facilitate the payment of 40% peculiar allowance that will reflect the proper template of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Act of parliament and started being implemented since July 2024.”

The Council reminded the Commission that the demand for the allowance is not new, citing an earlier circular personally signed by the Executive Chairman on March 10, 2023, with reference SWC/04/S.4651/11/285, which confirmed that the policy had already been approved and partially implemented during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is informative to remind the Executive Chairman of National Salaries, income and Wages Commission of the circular personally signed by the Executive Chairman, EKPO U O Nta Esq on this subject matter on the 10th March, 2023… to attest to the fact the request being made… is not a new demand,” the letter stated.

The union further lamented that despite submitting a comprehensive proposal on September 1, 2025, referenced JNPSNC/GEN COR/VOL I/143, to guide the Commission on seamless implementation, no action has been taken.

“This deliberate action has denied thousands of workers their entitlement as far as 40% of a peculiar allowance that will reflect the template of N70,000 minimum wage is concerned,” the union stressed.

The JNPSNC also accused the Commission of applying double standards, pointing out that similar requests concerning staff of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were treated with unusual speed and subsequently approved within days in August 2025.

“As a matter of fact, the National leadership of the JNPSNC is not oblivion of the accelerated speed you adopted when your esteemed office conveyed the request of the Accountant General on this same subject matter… and the eventual approval given to the request… which the National leadership of JNPSNC loudly applauded,” the letter added.

Beyond the peculiar allowance dispute, the Council decried the Commission’s failure to issue a circular for the payment of occupational hazard allowance to agricultural professionals, despite approvals granted at both the JNPSNC meeting held in Port Harcourt between October 28 and 30, 2024, and the 46th meeting of the National Council on Establishment in Osogbo on November 8, 2024.

The union noted that the resolution of the National Council on Establishment had already been transmitted to the Commission by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for necessary action, yet no implementation directive has been issued.

Following its meeting held on March 9, 2026, attended by presidents and general secretaries of its affiliate unions, the JNPSNC said it had resolved to demand immediate action on both issues, warning that workers’ patience is wearing thin.

“Honestly speaking, the patience of thousands of workers affected by these two important issues have been overstretched,” the union said.

The Council therefore issued a firm ultimatum to the Commission to respond positively on or before March 30, 2026, warning that failure to do so would compel it to take necessary action. (Nigerian Tribune)