TUC clarifies stance on N70,000 transport allowance

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Wednesday rejected the federal authorities’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance, and fairly demanded an instantaneous wage enhance for staff the. The union additionally urged the federal government to implement the excellent agreements with well being staff beneath the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The congress described the non permanent transport allowance as insufficient to deal with the worsening financial hardship confronting the Nigerian staff, insisting that the federal government ought to enhance salaries fairly than introduce aid measures that may not be carried out persistently.

The congress made its place identified in a press release issued Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council assembly held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.

According to the assertion, the congress had written to the federal authorities by way of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an instantaneous wage evaluate in response to rising dwelling prices.

The TUC argued that the federal government didn’t want to attend for negotiations on the nationwide minimal wage earlier than rising staff’ salaries, noting that there was no authorized ceiling on how a lot employers might pay their staff.

“The Federal Government should review increasing workers’ salaries. This was hinged on the fact that the government does not require the minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay, as there is no maximum wage law in the country,” TUC said.

The congress proposed that the federal authorities might elevate the wage of the lowest-paid employee to N300,000 from the present N70,000 and apply the suitable consequential changes to different wage ranges.

It maintained that whereas negotiations on the nationwide minimal wage remained vital, they shouldn’t be used as a cause to delay pressing wage will increase for staff battling rising meals, transportation, healthcare and different important bills.

The TUC stated its management had held consultative conferences with authorities officers, together with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, throughout which it rejected the proposed wage award.

Explaining its opposition, the congress stated the earlier wage award negotiated in October 2023 had not been totally carried out, elevating considerations concerning the credibility of one other non permanent association.

“The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023 was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically,” the assertion stated.

Beyond wage will increase, the TUC known as on federal, state and native governments to introduce measurable interventions to cut back the price of important items and companies.

It urged the authorities to make sure well timed cost of salaries and pensions, shield present jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create respectable employment.

The congress stated financial hardship was not restricted to federal staff but additionally affected state and native authorities staff, pensioners, private-sector staff and other people within the casual financial system.

 It known as for adequately funded interventions with clear implementation timelines, arguing that authorities bulletins should translate into tangible enhancements within the dwelling situations of Nigerians.