Labour threatens showdown with FG over unpaid hazard allowance
By Victor Ahiuma-Young
Organised Labour through the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, has threatened a showdown with the Federal Government over the failure to implement an approved occupational hazard allowance for agricultural professionals in the public service, nearly two years after approval.
The council, in a fresh letter to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as an “unnecessary delay” in issuing the circular required to give effect to the payment of the allowance.
The JNPSNC (Trade Union side) said the approval for the payment of the allowance was granted at the 46th meeting of the National Council on Establishment held in Ede, Osun State, from November 4 to 8, 2024.
The workers’ body said the decision specifically provided for the “extension of payment of occupational Hazard allowance to some agricultural professionals in the Public Service.”
According to the letter signed by the National Secretary of JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, the council had written to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on June 4, 2026, demanding implementation of the decision.
It said a second letter was subsequently sent on July 21, 2026, but that no appropriate response or action had followed, prompting the latest reminder.
The council said, “The National leadership of JNPSNC is not happy with the manner this matter is being handled by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and it is very unfortunate.”
It recalled that the memorandum on the hazard allowance had earlier been presented at separate and joint meetings of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before being transmitted to the National Council on Establishment.
The union further stated that the NCE approval was contained in the decisions and communique issued after its 46th meeting and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Secretary of Council.
It stressed that the approval had been outstanding since November 2024 and called for immediate action to prevent further delay.
“The national leadership is demanding for prompt action,” the letter stated.
The JNPSNC urged the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to cause the issuance of an appropriate circular that would enable the implementation and payment of the allowance to affected agricultural officers across the public service.
It argued that implementation of the allowance would motivate the affected workers and encourage greater productivity, efficiency and commitment to public service.
However, the council warned that continued failure to act could trigger an industrial dispute.
It said the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should facilitate the issuance of the circular “so that it will not trigger avoidable industrial dispute that may lead to picketing the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”
The latest development raises concerns over the implementation of decisions reached by the National Council on Establishment, particularly where such decisions affect the welfare and remuneration of public servants.
The union is now demanding that the Federal Government move beyond the approval stage and commence the actual implementation of the hazard allowance for the affected agricultural professionals.
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