The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance for workers, insisting that an immediate salary increase is needed to address the rising cost of living.
The labour organisation is demanding that the government raise the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker from N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments for other categories of workers.
It also wants the government to fulfil its outstanding agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) over salary adjustments for health workers.
The TUC maintained that a temporary allowance would not provide the lasting relief workers need amid rising prices of food, transportation, housing and other essential goods and services.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the congress’s President General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Comrade N. A. Toro.
The statement followed a meeting of the organisation’s National Administrative Council in Abuja and consultations with government officials.
According to the congress, it formally communicated its position to the Federal Government in a letter dated October 8, 2026.
It said subsequent discussions with government representatives, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, did not change its opposition to the proposed wage award.
The labour body argued that the government does not need to wait for negotiations on a new national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries.
It maintained that no law sets a maximum wage that prevents the government from raising the earnings of public servants.
The TUC also pointed to states that have introduced minimum wages above N100,000, arguing that the Federal Government could adopt a similar approach to improve workers’ earnings.
The statement reads, “Salary increases and not temporary and haphazard measures
In the said letter, our position was very clear, Federal Government should review increase salaries of workers.
This was hinged on the fact that government does not require minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay as there is no maximum wage law in the country.
Some states today have raised their minimum wage above N100,000 such that federal government can raise the pay of the lowest worker to N300,000 for example from the current N70,000 and then apply the applicable consequential adjustment. While it is good to negotiate minimum wage which will affect other cadre of workers, FGN must raise wage level immediately as there are no law or historical practices stopping it from doing so”.
The congress said it rejected the proposed transport allowance during consultations with government officials because it considered a direct salary increase more appropriate for addressing the financial difficulties facing workers.
It further warned that negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not be used to delay an urgent review of salaries.
“Following the letter, the leadership of congress had consultative meetings with FG officials including the Secretary of the Government of the Federation where our position as stated in the letter was further canvassed. The proposal of wage award was mentioned but we vehemently rejected.
Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment.”
Beyond its demand for higher salaries, the TUC called on governments at all levels to take practical steps to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It also demanded the timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs and an end to exploitative labour practices.
The congress said reviving productive sectors of the economy was necessary to create decent employment and improve the living conditions of workers.
It also raised concerns about the implementation of the N40,000 wage award reportedly agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023.
According to the TUC, the implementation of the agreement has remained inconsistent, with some workers allegedly experiencing delays of one or two months in receiving payments.
It further claimed that some workers had not received the benefit at all.
The congress alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not implemented any form of wage award.
The TUC said the government’s failure to fulfil its commitments had weakened confidence in agreements reached between labour unions and public authorities.
It stated, “TUC then calls on governments at all levels to implement measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalize the productive sector to create decent employment.
While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement.
This continued failure to honour an explicit commitment violates the principle of good faith, undermines confidence in collective bargaining and is absolutely unacceptable to the TUC.”
The congress added that it would continue to support affected workers and pursue lawful measures to ensure that outstanding agreements were implemented.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances. It will stand firmly with the affected affiliates and health workers and pursue every lawful and legitimate measure necessary to secure compliance.”
The organisation maintained that workers’ welfare should not be treated as a privilege and called on the government to respect agreements reached with organised labour.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply.”
The TUC’s rejection of the transport allowance also comes amid its concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of a separate dispute involving health sector unions.
The congress accused the government of failing to implement an agreement with JOHESU approximately seven months after the unions suspended their industrial action.
According to the statement, TUC President General Festus Osifo led organised labour’s efforts to resolve the dispute.
The intervention resulted in a conciliation meeting at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, where representatives of the government and the unions signed an agreement.
The government delegation included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate; and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The agreement was expected to address outstanding issues concerning adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which covers relevant categories of non-physician health professionals and other eligible health sector workers.
However, the TUC said the adjustment had yet to be implemented despite JOHESU’s decision to suspend its strike in good faith.
The congress described the delay as a breach of trust and called for immediate implementation of the agreed adjustment.
It also demanded a clear timetable for payment, adequate budgetary provisions and further consultations with the affected unions.
The organisation warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreements concerning their welfare remained unfulfilled.
It said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action, adding that all available lawful options remained open.
