FG-NLC N70,000 Deal Sparks Questions Over Exclusion Of Informal Workers

Nigerians have reacted to the settlement reached between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress over a N70,000 transport palliative for six months commencing from November 2026.

The settlement was a part of an eight-point decision reached at a conciliation assembly held on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, to avert a contemporary industrial motion.

The assembly was convened after the Joint assembly of the Central Working Committee and National Executive Council of the NLC issued a communique itemizing grievances over minimal wage dialogue, discount in petroleum pump value, palliatives and excellent allowances.

According to the decision, the transport intervention of N70,000 could be paid throughout all ranges for six months.

The doc was signed for the Federal Government by Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General Budget, and Dr. Garba Abdul S.U, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, whereas Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga signed for Labour.

The growth has nonetheless triggered reactions from Nigerians who took to the remark part of THE WHISTLER‘s post on the story to air their views.

Some Nigerians were concerned that the intervention appears to focus only on government workers while leaving out those in the informal sector.

Reacting in the comment section, Gilbert Nwangwu said, “What about the artisan workers and market women?”

Some Nigerians who commented on the post described the arrangement as unfair to those outside government employment who face the same economic hardship.

Busayo Olatunji argued that the NLC should advocate for all workers and citizens because fuel price hike affects everyone, yet only government workers would benefit despite private sector workers also paying taxes.

He wrote, “This NLC is to advocate for all workers and general citizens across Nigeria. This issue of fuel prices and hardship affects all. So why will it be government workers only that will benefit from this, while both government, private sector and others entity pay taxes. This is not fair on us that aren’t authorities staff, we purchase the identical costs of all the things.”

Others requested for clarification on whether or not the palliative covers each federal and state staff or federal staff alone. Raising the priority beneath the submit, Nwakanma Iheanacho stated, “Is it federal and state workers or only federal ones.”

There had been additionally questions on why the quantity was not added to the minimal wage to make it everlasting fairly than a short lived palliative. Speaking on that, Okeke Promise Richmond stated, “Why not add the 70k to minimum wage?”

The length of the intervention additionally drew questions, with some Nigerians asking what would occur after the six months elapse. Sani Muhammad commented, “After six-months what next???”

Other reactions beneath THE WHISTLER’s submit had been extra essential, suggesting the timing of the settlement was politically motivated.

Dickson Obiuwoh stated, “I suggest that presidential election should be happening every six months,” whereas Daniel Gyang Tok described the settlement as “Campaign strategy.”