The Labor Party threatens to clash with the government

The Organized Labor Party through the Joint National Public Service Bargaining Council (JNPSNC) has threatened confrontation with the Federal Government over the failure to implement the approved occupational hazard allowance for agricultural professionals in the public service, almost two years after approval.

The council, in its new letter to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, expressed its dissatisfaction with what it described as “unnecessary delays” in issuing the circular required to effectuate the payment of allowances.

JNPSNC (Trade Union party) said approval for the payment of allowances was given at the 46th National Establishment Council meeting held in Ede, Osun State, on November 4 to 8, 2024.

The labor body said the decision specifically provides for “the extension of Occupational Hazard allowance payments to some agricultural professionals in the Public Service.”

According to a letter signed by the National Secretary of JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, the council wrote to the Office of the Chief Civil Service Officer of the Federation on June 4, 2026, demanding the implementation of the decision.

It said a second letter was then sent on July 21, 2026, but there was no response or appropriate action, giving rise to the latest alert.

The council said, “The JNPSNC National Leadership is not happy with the way this matter has been handled by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and this is very unfortunate.”

It was recalled that the memorandum on hazard allowances had previously been presented at separate and joint meetings of the Joint National Public Service Bargaining Council in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before being forwarded to the National Establishment Council.

The union further stated that the NCE’s approval was contained in the decision and communiqué issued after its 46th meeting and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Secretary of the Council.

They emphasized that the approval has been pending since November 2024 and called for urgent action to prevent further delays.

“National leadership demands immediate action,” the letter said.

JNPSNC urges the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to issue an appropriate circular that will enable the implementation and payment of allowances to the affected agricultural officers across the public service.

They argue that implementing these benefits will motivate affected workers and encourage greater productivity, efficiency and commitment to public service.

However, the council warned that failure to take action could trigger industrial disputes.

It said that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should facilitate the publication of the circular “so that it would not trigger avoidable industrial disputes that could result in pre-emptive action against the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”