The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance for federal workers, which was agreed upon following a meeting between the government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday.
The TUC said the country’s prevailing economic hardship required a more substantial response, including salary increases and the implementation of outstanding labour agreements.
In a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the congress argued that the government could increase the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 from the current minimum wage of N70,000 without waiting for another minimum wage review.
The union also called for the implementation of the agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions, known as JOHESU.
According to the TUC, temporary financial relief would not adequately address the rising cost of living or provide sustainable improvements in workers’ welfare. It insisted that workers were demanding economic justice, better social protection and compliance with agreements reached with the government.
The congress said it would await the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.
The TUC also questioned the government’s commitment to previous agreements, noting that the wage award negotiated with organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to remain in effect until a new minimum wage was agreed upon in 2024.
However, the union alleged that the award was never fully implemented, with some workers still owed one or two months’ payments while others did not receive the allowance at all.
It questioned why the government was proposing another temporary wage intervention when outstanding obligations from the previous arrangement remained unresolved.
Pensioners protest exclusion from transport allowance
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has criticised the exclusion of retirees from the proposed six-month transport allowance for public servants, scheduled to begin in November 2026.
The union’s National President, Godwin Abumisi, described the decision as unjust, arguing that pensioners were also struggling with the rising cost of transportation and other essential expenses.
Abumisi said many retired workers depended on public transport to visit hospitals, attend medical appointments, purchase food and access other necessities, despite living on inadequate pensions and having no dependable alternative income.
The union also questioned why the Nigeria Labour Congress did not negotiate similar relief for retired workers, describing their exclusion as a failure to consider the welfare of former colleagues who had spent their productive years in public service.
The NUP further expressed concern over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fulfil its promise of a N25,000 monthly palliative under the October 2, 2023, Memorandum of Understanding with the NLC and TUC.
Under the agreement, the government had committed to paying N25,000 monthly for three months to 15 million households, including vulnerable pensioners. The arrangement amounted to N75,000 for each eligible beneficiary.
The union maintained that pensioners should not be left out of measures intended to cushion the effects of the high cost of living.
Source: Vanguard
