The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has voiced frustration over the government’s failure to address critical economic challenges faced by workers, particularly concerning the minimum wage and pension reforms. Speaking at the ASCSN’s End of Year Celebration in Lagos on Wednesday, National President Shehu Muhammed emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to workers’ welfare, especially in the face of rising inflation and economic hardships.
“Inflation has made the previously proposed N250,000 living wage outdated,” Muhammed said, criticizing the discrepancy between minimum wage figures claimed by governors and the actual impact on workers. He described the reported N70,000 to N80,000 minimum wages as political claims that rarely lead to substantial improvements for workers.
Muhammed also took issue with the federal government’s handling of the fuel subsidy removal, arguing that it worsened the financial strain on Nigerians. “Removing subsidies without functional refineries to ensure local fuel production has deepened the economic crisis,” he said, highlighting that workers are bearing the brunt of this poorly executed policy.
On pensions, Muhammed criticized the contributory pension scheme for failing to meet its promises, citing the non-remittance of employer contributions and the resultant hardship for retirees. He called for legislative amendments to ensure accountability and facilitate workers’ access to their retirement benefits.
Further concerns were raised about the inadequacy of public servants’ allowances, including transportation and travel allocations, which have not been updated to reflect current economic realities. “These rates, set over a decade ago, are no longer realistic,” Muhammed stated.
The union also connected the issues of unemployment and rising insecurity to the government’s failure to create sustainable job opportunities, stressing that many young people, without job prospects, are being driven into criminal activities. Muhammed urged the government to implement policies supporting job creation and small businesses.
He concluded by pledging that the union would push for better accountability in future negotiations and release a detailed report on states that have failed to implement the current minimum wage. “Workers deserve more than political promises; they deserve action,” he affirmed.
