By Favour Pius
The Nigerian Workers Forum has accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of delaying the payment of outstanding wage arrears, warning that the situation is worsening the financial hardship faced by workers across the country.
The group alleged that despite repeated assurances by the Federal Government of Nigeria, many workers are yet to receive accumulated arrears linked to wage adjustments and other entitlements.
In a statement, the forum said the delay has placed additional strain on workers already grappling with rising cost of living, inflation and economic uncertainty.
According to the group, the failure to promptly settle wage arrears undermines trust between the government and the workforce, particularly at a time when workers are facing increasing financial pressure.
“The prolonged delay in the payment of wage arrears is unacceptable and continues to erode the purchasing power of Nigerian workers,” the forum stated.
The group noted that many workers depend on these payments to meet basic needs, including housing, healthcare, transportation and education expenses.
It called on the government to expedite action on the settlement of all outstanding arrears and ensure that future wage obligations are met promptly.
Labour analysts say the development could heighten tensions within the industrial relations space if not urgently addressed, especially as workers’ unions continue to push for improved welfare and compensation.
They warned that prolonged delays could trigger agitation or industrial action, which may disrupt public services and economic activities.
The forum also urged relevant authorities to engage constructively with labour representatives to resolve the issue and restore confidence among workers.
Efforts to get official response from government representatives were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Stakeholders say timely payment of wages and arrears remains critical to maintaining industrial harmony and supporting household consumption in an economy facing persistent inflationary pressures
