Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s newly approved N70,000 monthly transport allowance for federal workers, insisting that only a salary increase can provide lasting relief from the country’s rising cost of living.
The union said the allowance was only a temporary measure that could not address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers amid high inflation and increasing prices of essential goods and services.
The position of the TUC was contained in a statement jointly signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reaction came barely a day after the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) signed an agreement approving a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for federal public servants as part of efforts to reduce the impact of the current economic challenges.
Rejecting the arrangement, the TUC said the proposal was inadequate and failed to offer a long-term solution to workers’ welfare.
According to the congress, a similar wage award agreed between the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was not fully implemented before the negotiation of a new national minimum wage.
It said many workers were still owed one or two months of the previous wage award, while others did not receive any payment, adding that payments were irregular for many beneficiaries.
The union also alleged that more than 80 per cent of state governments and employers in the informal sector failed to implement the earlier wage award.
The TUC said: “Negotiation of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increments.
“The Federal Government can increase salaries without waiting for minimum wage negotiations, as no law prescribes a maximum wage in the country.”
The congress noted that some state governments had already increased their minimum wage above N100,000, arguing that the Federal Government could also raise the salaries of its lowest-paid workers and apply appropriate consequential adjustments across all salary levels.
It further urged governments at all levels to reduce the prices of essential goods and services, ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs and tackle exploitative labour practices.
The union also called for the revival of the productive sector to create decent jobs, stressing that economic interventions should be inclusive and backed by clear implementation timelines.
On the lingering issues in the health sector, the TUC demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The congress expressed concern that the agreement had remained unimplemented seven months after it was reached, despite the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) suspending its industrial action in good faith.
It urged the Federal Government to honour the agreement, publish a clear implementation timetable and provide the necessary budgetary allocation to settle all outstanding issues.
The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its affiliate unions through lawful means and said it would determine its next course of action after its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government.
