Nigerian workers have expressed concern over the Federal Government’s delay in the payment of the N35,000 wage award to cushion the removal of fuel subsidy.
The workers who spoke in separate interviews with journalists on Monday in Abuja said the delay had compounded the hardship that citizens had to bear.
Christopher Samuel, an officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said workers could no longer meet their basic needs, let alone live a decent life.
“It has the potential of affecting workers’ productivity negatively. It undermines workers’ confidence in government policies or decisions while equally eroding the integrity of government.
“And most importantly, it does not demonstrate that the government has the interest and welfare of its workers at heart,” Mr Samuel said.
On his part, another respondent, Mustapha Lamidi, a Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy staff member, decried the delay, saying that it had defeated the purpose for which it was introduced.
“As I am talking to you now, most civil servants have yet to access even the first award and talk less of the second one.
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“Moreover, the continued increases in the prices of essential products is also contributing to the reason the palliative is not making a positive impact on civil servants as inflation continues to be on the rise,” Mr Lamidi said.
Similarly, Christopher Egwuatu, the deputy national chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management (NIFEngM), spoke on the effect of the delay.
Mr Egwuatu said it could cause financial stress and significantly affect an individual’s mental and emotional well-being.
“For many workers, especially those with low incomes, the N35,000 palliative for just two months may not be sufficient to cover basic living expenses.
“This could lead to frustration and a sense of insecurity, especially if the economic conditions remain challenging,” Mr Egwuatu said.
Also, Caroline Ogundipe, a civil servant, said limited financial support might reduce consumer spending, affecting local businesses and the overall economy.
Ms Ogundipe said workers relying on government palliatives found themselves in a vulnerable position since the support was not sustained.
She, therefore, said there was a need for long-term solutions to address economic challenges occasioned by the hike in pump price.
“Transparent communication about the duration and scope of support can also help manage expectations and mitigate some of the negative effects on workers,” Ms Ogundipe added.
