Workers begin three-day warning strike

Abuja— Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have declared a three-day warning strike from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, over what they described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers and their dependants.

The council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise workers for the industrial action, scheduled to commence at midnight on Friday, Oct. 2, and end on Sunday, Oct. 4.

The directive was contained in a circular dated Oct. 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

According to the circular, the decision followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address requests previously submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated Sept. 21.

“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026,” the council stated.

The council directed public servants in the federal, state and local government services to participate in the strike, stressing that the action was intended to draw attention to the difficulties facing workers across the country.

It stated: “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”

The JNPSNC further stated that “the economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

It urged its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation, declaring: “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

The planned industrial action followed the council’s earlier demands on the Federal Government for measures to cushion the effects of rising living costs, including a reduction in petrol prices, a wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council had reportedly asked the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and establish a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

The demands came amid concerns over rising costs of essential goods, transportation and other household expenses, which have affected the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.

The council concluded its circular by urging its members to disseminate the strike notice, expressing confidence in the outcome of the action.

“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” it stated.

As of the time of the circular, the council maintained that the strike would proceed as scheduled, with public servants across the three tiers of government expected to participate.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ministry of Labour had failed as of the time of filing the report.

Credit: Punch