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The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the Federal Government to clear outstanding workers' entitlements, review salaries upward to a minimum wage of N300,000 and urgently improve welfare and conditions within the nation's correctional centres.
The National Coordinator of the forum, Mr. Andrew Emelieze, made the demands in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, urging the government to fulfil its outstanding commitments to federal workers.
Emelieze appealed to the Federal Government to immediately pay the outstanding two-month wage award owed since June 2024, settle the arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and fully implement all outstanding payments arising from the N70,000 national minimum wage.
He argued that the current salary structure is no longer sustainable in view of prevailing economic realities and called on President Bola Tinubu to approve a fresh salary review.
According to him, the forum is proposing a new minimum wage of N300,000, with a maximum salary of N1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17.
The FWF also raised concerns over the welfare of correctional officers, alleging that many personnel are compelled to purchase official uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges and other work kits with their personal funds.
Emelieze further alleged that officers sitting for promotion examinations were made to contribute money for the welfare of examiners, claiming that similar practices also exist within the Federal Fire Service.
He called for an independent investigation into the alleged extortion and urged the government to improve the welfare of correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel.
The forum also decried the poor state of correctional centres across the country, describing them as overcrowded and plagued by inadequate feeding, disease outbreaks and the prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates.
According to Emelieze, the conditions pose serious health risks to inmates, correctional personnel and surrounding communities, while undermining the rehabilitative purpose of the correctional system.
He urged the government to decongest correctional facilities through the grant of amnesty and the exercise of the prerogative of mercy for inmates who have remained in custody awaiting trial for more than five years.
The forum also advocated accelerated judicial processes, insisting that no awaiting-trial inmate should remain in custody for more than one year without the conclusion of trial, while calling for a justice system that prioritises rehabilitation, speedy trials and respect for human dignity.
