The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers over six months, demanding an immediate and sustainable salary increase to address the rising cost of living.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, the labour centre said temporary wage awards were inadequate to provide lasting relief, particularly given what it described as the incomplete and irregular implementation of previous payments.

The proposed intervention, announced by the Federal Government on Tuesday, is scheduled to begin in November 2026. However, the TUC maintained that workers needed a direct increase in their salaries rather than another temporary payment.

According to the Congress, its position followed a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, after which it sent a demand letter to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The union said it also reiterated its opposition to the proposed allowance during consultations with government officials, including the SGF.

TUC Proposes ₦300,000 Salary for Lowest-Paid Federal Workers

The Congress argued that the Federal Government did not need to wait for negotiations on a new national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries.

It maintained that the existing minimum wage establishes a statutory floor rather than a ceiling, adding that no law prevents the government from paying workers above that threshold.

The TUC said the government could raise the salary of its lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000, with appropriate consequential adjustments for other salary grades.

It warned that negotiations over a new minimum wage must not become a reason to postpone urgent salary increases while workers continue to face rising food, transportation, healthcare and other essential expenses.

Union Cites Gaps in Previous Wage Award

Explaining its rejection of the proposed allowance, the TUC recalled that the ₦40,000 wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to provide interim relief until a new national minimum wage was negotiated in 2024.

However, the Congress alleged that the arrangement was never fully implemented, leaving some workers with outstanding payments while others received no benefits.

It also complained that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, with intervals of one or two months and repeated follow-ups required before outstanding amounts were released.

The union further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.

Against this background, the TUC questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary payment when, according to the union, previous commitments remained unfulfilled.

It insisted that a direct salary increase would provide more consistent support for workers and urged the government to move beyond temporary relief measures.

TUC Demands Implementation of JOHESU Agreement

The Congress also called for the immediate implementation of the outstanding adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

It accused the Federal Government of failing to honour commitments made during negotiations to resolve the health workers’ prolonged industrial dispute.

According to the TUC, its president led an organised labour delegation, including JOHESU representatives, in negotiations that culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The meeting produced an agreement providing for the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment. The union said JOHESU subsequently suspended its industrial action in good faith.

However, the Congress alleged that the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement.

It called on the Federal Government to implement the adjustment without further delay, publish a clear implementation timetable, provide the necessary budgetary allocations and resolve outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.

The TUC warned that continued delays could undermine confidence in collective bargaining and said health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreed commitments remained outstanding.

Union Calls for Measures to Reduce Cost of Living

Beyond salary increases, the TUC urged federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It said the economic hardship extended beyond federal employees to state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people working in the informal economy.

The Congress called for timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs, an end to exploitative labour practices and renewed efforts to strengthen productive sectors capable of creating decent employment.

It also stressed that government interventions must be inclusive, adequately funded and supported by clear implementation timelines.

According to the union, policy announcements alone would not resolve the cost-of-living crisis without tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.

The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before determining its next course of action.

The dispute highlights continuing tensions over workers’ earnings and the implementation of existing agreements as organised labour presses for measures to protect purchasing power amid rising living costs.

Nigeria’s current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 was signed into law in 2024. The TUC’s latest position distinguishes its demand for an immediate salary increase from the separate process of negotiating a future national minimum wage.

The Congress maintained that workers’ welfare, the fulfilment of agreements and effective measures to reduce living costs must remain priorities in government policy.