The Federal Government has assured workers that all outstanding wage award and promotion arrears will be cleared within weeks, following renewed engagements with labour representatives.

The assurance was given after a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and leaders of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC Trade Side).

The meeting focused on unresolved welfare issues affecting federal workers, including outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, salary relativity for health workers and other allowances.

Oyedele said work on most of the issues raised by the union was already underway, stressing that the government remained committed to fulfilling its obligations to workers.

According to him, the final administrative processes required for the release of the outstanding wage awards are almost complete, with payments to eligible workers expected to begin before the middle of the month.

The minister also disclosed that the payment of promotion arrears was progressing, adding that the remaining batches were already being processed under approved government procedures.

To speed up implementation, he directed officials of the Ministry of Finance to work closely with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to resolve all outstanding labour-related issues.

Acknowledging workers’ concerns over delays in implementing previous agreements, Oyedele said the government intends to rebuild confidence through regular engagement, transparency and timely fulfilment of its commitments.

“Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment,” he said.

Earlier, the labour delegation, led by Kabiru Minjibir, urged the Federal Government to expedite action on unresolved welfare matters, particularly the outstanding wage award, unpaid promotion arrears and salary relativity for health sector workers.