TUC Faults FG’s N70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands N300,000

The Trade Union Congress(TUC) of Nigeria has turned down the N70,000 wage award proposed by the Federal Government.

In its place, the Congress is asking for a right away wage evaluation that might see the lowest-paid federal employee earn as much as N300,000.

The union in an announcement signed by its President General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Comrade N. A. Toro, mentioned that the N70,000 award was a brief measure that doesn’t provide lasting reduction to employees dealing with rising residing prices.

It argued that authorities doesn’t want to barter a brand new nationwide minimal wage earlier than growing salaries, stressing that no legislation locations a ceiling on what employees might be paid as most wage.

It cited the instance of some states which have already elevated their minimal wage to over N100,000, saying the Federal Government can do extra by saying the next pay bundle with consequential changes throughout all grade ranges.

“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,” it mentioned.

The Congress mentioned what employees want is a everlasting enchancment of their revenue, not short-term interventions.

It faulted the implementation of earlier wage awards, recalling the award agreed on October 2, 2023, which it mentioned was not absolutely carried out, as some employees weren’t paid or didn’t get the entire quantity.

The TUC mentioned such failures weaken belief in collective bargaining and forged doubt on authorities’s readiness to maintain to new agreements.

It due to this fact demanded concrete steps, a transparent timeline for implementation, and correct budgetary allocation for any wage adjustment.

The Congress additionally requested the federal government to instantly implement the agreed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions(JOHESU), noting that seven months after the settlement was reached, it was but to be effected.

It mentioned authorities ought to honour the settlement phrases that made JOHESU droop its industrial motion.

The TUC added that it’s ready for the end result of its scheduled assembly with the Federal Government to find out its subsequent motion, whereas insisting on agency commitments on pay rise, implementation of the JOHESU settlement and backbone of different excellent wage points.

“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,” it famous.