The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance, demanding an immediate salary increase and the implementation of outstanding agreements with health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The congress described temporary financial relief as inadequate to address the worsening cost-of-living crisis, insisting that workers need sustainable improvements in their earnings rather than allowances that may not reach all eligible beneficiaries.
The Federal Government’s proposed transport support is scheduled to run for six months from November 2026. However, the TUC said it would prefer a permanent salary increase to another temporary arrangement.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, and signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the congress said it had written to the Federal Government on October 8, outlining its concerns and proposing measures to improve workers’ welfare.
The letter followed a meeting of the TUC’s National Administrative Council in Abuja.
The congress argued that the government could increase salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage, maintaining that there was no legal ceiling on how much employers could pay their workers.
It proposed raising the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary levels.
The proposed figure is the TUC’s demand and does not represent an approved government salary structure.
TUC cites failure of previous wage award
Explaining its rejection of the proposed transport allowance, the congress said the Federal Government had yet to fulfil all its obligations under the wage award agreed with organised labour on October 2, 2023.
According to the TUC, some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others allegedly received no payment at all.
It also claimed that some beneficiaries experienced irregular payments, with allowances arriving at intervals of one or two months and requiring repeated demands before they were paid.
The congress further alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
“How do we go back to the same wage award that never benefited all workers? How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” the TUC asked.
It maintained that permanent salary increases would provide more dependable relief for workers struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs, healthcare expenses and other essential bills.
The congress also argued that negotiations on a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from increasing workers’ pay immediately.
The TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It urged the authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.
The congress said the economic hardship affected not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and people in the informal economy.
It called for adequately funded interventions with clear implementation timelines, warning that government announcements must translate into tangible improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.
JOHESU agreement remains outstanding
The TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions following months of industrial action.
According to the congress, its president, Festus Osifo, led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU leaders and a representative of another labour centre, in negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute.
The discussions culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where the parties agreed on a communiqué.
The Federal Government delegation included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The TUC said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was reached, but alleged that the government had not fulfilled its obligations.
The agreement provided for the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, known as CONHESS.
However, the congress said the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement.
“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement said.
The TUC demanded immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear implementation timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue delivering essential services while commitments made to them remained unfulfilled.
The congress also cautioned that failure to honour agreements could undermine confidence in collective bargaining between the government and organised labour.
TUC awaits government’s response
The congress reiterated that workers were not seeking favours but demanding improved living conditions, economic justice and respect for their rights.
It pledged to stand with affected unions and pursue lawful measures to secure compliance with the JOHESU agreement.
The TUC did not announce an immediate nationwide strike but said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action.
Nigeria’s wage debate has continued amid pressure on households from rising living costs and the effects of economic reforms.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage law, raising the statutory minimum monthly wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 following negotiations with organised labour.
The minimum wage established a new statutory floor for eligible workers but did not automatically resolve demands for adjustments across different salary grades or eliminate calls for additional support.
The TUC’s latest position underscores the continuing disagreement over how best to improve workers’ purchasing power, with the congress insisting that lasting salary increases and the fulfilment of existing agreements should take priority over temporary allowances.
The congress said its next steps would depend on the outcome of its engagement with the Federal Government.
