Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has condemned the suspension of tenure policy of Federal Civil Service by the federal government.
The union made this known in a communique issued at the end of its State Governing Council in the FCT, just as it also lamented the increase in the pump price of petrol, which according to them has brought untold hardship on the masses.
The communique which was jointly signed by the union’s Chairman and Secretary, Benjamin Anthony and Sikirum Waheed, respectively, also urge President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the ailing Nigeria economy.
They, however, commended federal government for putting in place a committee to review the national minimum wage in the country.
It read in part: “The SGC-in-session commends the federal government for setting up committee to review the new minimum wage, but frowned at the slow pace of work of the committee and call on the committee to purge themselves of any interest that is not in favour of the workers, in order to hasten the completion of the work for onward implementation.
“The SGC-in-session is concerned with the unilateral hike in price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre, an increase of 67%. This increase has further led to increases in essential commodities and staple foods beyond the reach of average Nigerians. The meeting therefore, calls on the federal government to take urgent steps to save our ailing economy.
“The SGC-in-session condemned in very strong terms the decision of the federal government to issue a circular on suspension of the tenure policy of the Federal Civil Service.
“The meeting expressed its reservation on the contents of the circular in view of its stagnation tendency in the service and calls on the government to withdraw the circular forthwith.”
The group also expressed worries over the non-payment of salaries to workers of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) which has now accumulated to five months.
They also called on the company’s management to pay the workers all their outstanding salaries without further delay, stressing that is the only panacea for calling off the on-going strike by AUMTCO staff.
“The SGC requested as well that, the FCT Administration should urgently put in place, a BRT lane and dedicated terminals to enhance the performance of the company, to be able to increase their revenue profile and cover their operational activities which includes regular payment of monthly salary, and as well, stop casualisation of the drivers who are the core workers of the company,” the union further demanded.