The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance, insisting that Nigerian workers need a lasting salary increase.
The union said temporary financial support would not provide lasting relief amid rising living costs. It urged the government to increase workers’ salaries without waiting for another minimum wage negotiation.
TUC President Festus Osifo said salary increases and minimum wage negotiations were separate issues. He argued that the government could improve workers’ earnings without reopening existing wage agreements.
“You don’t need to negotiate minimum wage before government could intervene in the plight of workers, not at all,” he said.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Osifo recalled the union’s position during its National Administrative Council meeting on October 8.
He explained that minimum wage sets the lowest amount employers can legally pay workers. However, it does not prevent the government from granting additional salary increases.
“Increment in salary and minimum wage are very different.
Minimum wage is minimum, but there is no maximum wage,” Osifo explained.
The TUC president maintained that the government could raise workers’ pay directly without making fresh minimum wage negotiations a requirement.
His comments followed the Federal Government’s announcement of a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers across all levels.
The proposed intervention is expected to run for six months, starting in November 2026.
TUC Rejects Temporary Transport Allowance
The proposed allowance followed a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened the meeting.
However, the TUC said it preferred a permanent salary increase to temporary assistance. The union also demanded the implementation of the agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
Osifo stressed that workers needed a solution that would continue beyond the six-month transport support.
“If what you are offering today is a temporary measure, we reject it; we want something that is much more sustaining and something that is much more permanent,” Osifo said.
He added that the union might have considered the proposal if the money had been added directly to workers’ salaries.
The dispute highlights the growing debate over workers’ welfare and the government’s response to rising living costs.
