The Federal Government has approved a 40 percent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants as part of ongoing efforts to improve workers’ welfare and cushion the impact of rising living costs across the country.

The development followed prolonged negotiations between the government and organised labour unions, with workers previously threatening industrial action over delays in implementing the allowance and other wage-related reforms.

According to reports, the allowance will apply to workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), covering employees across federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Government officials said the move forms part of broader public service welfare reforms, including reviews of duty tour allowances, estacode, book allowances and retirement benefits aimed at improving morale and productivity within the civil service.

However, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation later clarified that it did not directly issue or communicate approval of the allowance to labour unions, stating that such responsibility rests with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).