Federal Workers Forum Demands Payment of Peculiar Allowances, Wage Award, Promotion Arrears

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has urged the Federal Government to immediately pay approved peculiar allowances, settle the outstanding two months of the wage award, and clear long-overdue promotion arrears, saying the delay is worsening the economic hardship faced by federal workers.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum, its Chief Administrator, Aliyu Muhammad Adam, expressed concern over what he described as repeated government assurances without corresponding action.

Adam said thousands of workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) continue to grapple with rising inflation and the high cost of living while awaiting payments that have already been approved.

He noted that despite the prevailing economic challenges, federal workers have remained committed to their responsibilities, but the continued delay in paying their outstanding entitlements has placed significant financial pressure on workers and their families.

“Federal workers have remained committed to nation-building despite the challenges they face. What they are asking for is not charity but the payment of their legitimate entitlements. The government must fulfil its promises by paying the approved peculiar allowances, the remaining two months of the wage award, and all outstanding promotion arrears without further delay,” Adam said.

The Forum stated that repeated assurances from government officials had raised workers’ expectations, but the lack of concrete action has resulted in growing frustration and declining confidence.

According to the FWF, many federal workers are struggling to meet basic needs, including food, transportation, housing, healthcare and education costs, making the prompt payment of outstanding entitlements increasingly urgent.

The Forum called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Finance to fast-track the release of the approved payments.

It warned that continued delays could negatively affect workers’ morale, productivity and the overall efficiency of the public service.

While reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement with the government, the Forum stressed that workers’ welfare should be treated as a national priority.

The FWF maintained that paying the approved peculiar allowances, the outstanding two months of the wage award and all promotion arrears would provide relief to federal workers, strengthen public service delivery and reinforce confidence in the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare.