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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, insisting that workers need a substantial salary increase rather than temporary financial relief.

The congress urged the government to increase the salaries of federal workers, arguing that wage awards are neither sustainable nor sufficient to address the rising cost of living.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, said the government could raise the pay of its lowest-paid workers from the current N70,000 minimum wage to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments for other salary grades.

In a statement, Osifo said the congress had formally communicated its demands to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

He added that the union’s position followed consultations with government officials, during which a proposed wage award was discussed but rejected by the TUC.

According to the congress, previous experience with temporary wage awards has raised concerns about their implementation and reliability.

It cited the N40,000 wage award agreed upon in October 2023, noting that the payment was not fully implemented across the workforce, with some workers still owed arrears while others received payments irregularly.

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TUC also argued that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from the previous wage award.

The congress maintained that a salary increase would provide more consistent relief than a temporary allowance, warning that minimum wage negotiations should not delay an immediate pay review.

The Federal Government had approved a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

The measure was announced in a memorandum of understanding reached after a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja.

The government said the allowance was intended to cushion the impact of rising living costs on public servants.

However, the TUC said the economic crisis extended beyond federal workers to state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and those in the informal economy.

It called on governments at all levels to introduce measurable interventions to lower the cost of essential goods, ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and strengthen domestic production.

JOHESU AGREEMENT

The congress also demanded the immediate implementation of the outstanding Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment agreed upon with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Osifo said the agreement followed months of industrial action and conciliation meetings involving organised labour and government representatives.

He explained that the strike was suspended in good faith after the parties agreed that outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment would be resolved without further delay.

However, the TUC president said the commitment remained unfulfilled seven months after the agreement.

The congress demanded immediate implementation of the adjustment, a clear timetable, adequate budgetary provisions and the resolution of all outstanding issues.

It warned that the failure to honour the agreement undermined confidence in collective bargaining and would inform its next steps following further meetings with the government.

ATIKU CRITICISES ALLOWANCE

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar criticised the N70,000 monthly transport allowance, describing it as inadequate to address the broader cost-of-living crisis.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the allowance failed to address the rising costs of food, energy, rent and other household essentials.

He questioned the exclusion of private-sector workers, traders, small businesses, transport operators and millions of Nigerians outside formal employment from the relief package.

Atiku also argued that, at an estimated petrol price of N1,400 per litre, the allowance would purchase about 50 litres of fuel, which he said was insufficient to provide meaningful relief over an entire month.

He called on the Federal Government to publish clear payment timelines, explain eligibility requirements and clarify when negotiations on a new minimum wage would produce a decision.

Atiku further advocated a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined in Nigeria, arguing that it could provide relief at the pump.

He maintained that Nigerians needed lasting measures to reduce living costs, improve household incomes and make work and business more affordable.

The TUC said it would determine its next line of action after reviewing the outcome of its scheduled engagements with the Federal Government.

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Afusat Adebayo
The Traffic NG

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