TUC Rejects FG’s ₦70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands ₦300,000 Minimum Salary
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate salary increase and the implementation of outstanding agreements with health-sector unions.
The congress said temporary financial assistance would not provide sustainable relief for workers struggling with rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential services.
In a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the union argued that the government should increase workers’ salaries rather than introduce another temporary wage award.
The TUC said the proposed intervention would not adequately address the economic pressures confronting workers and other Nigerians.
TUC proposes ₦300,000 salary for lowest-paid worker
The congress argued that the Federal Government could increase the salary of its lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000 monthly, alongside appropriate adjustments for other salary levels.
According to the union, the government does not need to wait for negotiations on a new national minimum wage before increasing workers’ pay.
It maintained that the statutory minimum wage establishes a minimum payment threshold rather than a ceiling on salaries.
The ₦300,000 figure is the TUC’s proposal and has not been announced as an approved government salary structure.
Union questions reliability of previous wage award
The TUC said its opposition to the proposed allowance was partly informed by what it described as incomplete implementation of the wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour in October 2023.
The union said the previous arrangement was intended to provide temporary relief until a new national minimum wage was agreed in 2024.
However, it alleged that some workers remained owed one or two months’ payments, while others did not receive the award.
The congress also claimed that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, with workers having to make repeated demands before receiving their entitlements.
It further alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not implement any form of wage award.
The union questioned why the government should introduce another temporary arrangement when, according to its account, outstanding obligations under the previous one remained unresolved.
FG-NLC agreement provides six-month intervention
The Federal Government recently announced a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The measure followed a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The agreement also addressed outstanding peculiar allowances and other labour-related matters.
The TUC’s rejection highlights a difference in its position from the agreement reached between the government and the NLC leadership. The available reports do not establish that the TUC has formally withdrawn from all broader labour engagements with the government.
TUC demands action on health workers’ agreement
Beyond the proposed transport allowance, the congress accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement concerning the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which affects members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
According to the TUC, negotiations aimed at resolving the health workers’ industrial dispute resulted in a settlement under which outstanding CONHESS adjustment issues were to be addressed.
The congress said the adjustment remained outstanding seven months after the agreement, despite the suspension of industrial action by the affected unions.
It called on the government to implement the adjustment, provide a clear timetable, make the necessary budgetary provisions and resolve outstanding issues with the unions.
The TUC warned that failure to honour agreements could undermine confidence in collective bargaining.
Calls for wider measures to reduce living costs
The congress also called on federal, state and local governments to take measurable steps to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It urged the authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and strengthen productive sectors to create decent employment.
The union argued that economic hardship affects not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and people working in the informal economy.
It said relief measures should be inclusive, adequately funded and supported by clear implementation timelines.
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike in the statement.
The dispute comes amid continuing pressure from organised labour for higher earnings and the implementation of agreements intended to protect workers’ welfare.
