The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate salary review that would raise the pay of the lowest-paid worker to ₦300,000.
The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to fulfil outstanding wage award obligations and implement an agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The TUC stated its position in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
According to the congress, temporary allowances would not adequately address the financial difficulties confronting workers amid rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential goods and services.
It disclosed that it had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting an immediate salary review to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.
The labour body argued that the government did not have to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries, insisting that there was no legal maximum on what employers could pay.
“The Federal Government should review increasing workers’ salaries. This was hinged on the fact that the government does not require the minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay, as there is no maximum wage law in the country,” the statement said.
The TUC proposed that the salary of the lowest-paid worker be increased from the current ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments to other salary grades.
It maintained that ongoing negotiations on the national minimum wage should not prevent the government from taking immediate steps to improve workers’ earnings.
The congress said its leadership had met with government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during consultations over workers’ welfare, where it rejected the proposed transport allowance.
Explaining its position, the TUC cited what it described as the incomplete implementation of the wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour in October 2023.
The arrangement was introduced as temporary relief for workers pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage in 2024.
However, the congress alleged that the agreement was never fully implemented, leaving some workers with outstanding payments.
“The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023 was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically,” the statement said.
The TUC claimed that some workers were still owed one or two months of the allowance, while others had allegedly received nothing.
It further alleged that some beneficiaries experienced irregular payments, sometimes waiting one or two months and making repeated demands before receiving their entitlements.
The congress also claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
Questioning the government’s proposal to introduce another temporary payment arrangement, the TUC said workers had reasons to doubt whether the new allowance would reach all eligible beneficiaries.
“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 congress asked.
It insisted that permanent salary increases would provide more reliable relief than temporary allowances, which it said had failed to benefit workers uniformly.
“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the statement added.
Beyond salary adjustments, the TUC called on the federal, state and local governments to introduce practical measures 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 revive the productive sector to generate decent employment opportunities.
The congress said the economic hardship extended beyond federal public servants to state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and those operating in the informal economy.
It called for adequately funded interventions with clear implementation timelines, stressing that government announcements must translate into tangible improvements in living conditions.
The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to honour an agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions following negotiations to resolve a prolonged industrial dispute in the health sector.
According to the TUC, its President, Festus Osifo, led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU representatives and a representative of another labour congress, during negotiations with the government.
The discussions culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where the parties reached an agreement documented in a communiqué.
The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, alongside the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 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 signed but accused the government of failing to implement its own commitments.
The agreement included the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, known as CONHESS.
However, the congress alleged that seven months after the agreement, the salary adjustment remained unimplemented.
“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 described the delay as a breach of good faith, warning that failure to honour agreements could undermine trust in collective bargaining between the government and organised labour.
It demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear timetable for implementation, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
The congress said health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreements intended to improve their welfare remained unfulfilled.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” it stated, pledging to support the affected unions and pursue lawful measures to compel the government to honour the agreement.
Reaffirming its position on workers’ welfare, the congress said its demands were based on the need for better living conditions and respect for workers’ rights.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply,” the statement added.
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike.
The dispute comes amid continuing pressure on organised labour to secure improved wages and protect workers’ purchasing power following increases in the cost of living.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Act, raising the statutory minimum monthly wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after negotiations between the government and organised labour.
The new minimum wage followed months of disagreements over workers’ earnings amid rising food and transportation costs associated with broader economic pressures, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Although the legislation established a new minimum wage, it did not automatically resolve demands for adjustments across different salary grades or eliminate calls for additional measures to address the rising cost of living.
The TUC’s latest position reflects its demand for a permanent salary review rather than another temporary wage award, alongside the fulfilment of outstanding agreements affecting workers in the health sector.
