TUC Rejects FG’s ₦70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands Immediate Salary Increase

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate salary increase and full implementation of outstanding agreements with health sector unions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, and signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the congress argued that temporary financial interventions would not provide sustainable relief for workers facing rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential goods and services.

The Federal Government announced the six-month transport intervention, scheduled to begin in November 2026, following a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday. The measure comes amid rising transportation costs, with the government also pursuing plans to expand access to compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel, including plans for 127 additional CNG refuelling stations as Kano expands gas-powered transport. The agreement also covers outstanding peculiar allowance arrears and payments owed to health workers.

The TUC said it had earlier written to the Federal Government on October 8, requesting an urgent review of workers’ salaries. It maintained that the government did not need to wait for negotiations on a new national minimum wage before increasing pay, arguing that there was no legal ceiling preventing employers from paying above the statutory minimum.

The congress proposed that the Federal Government could raise the salary of its lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000, with appropriate adjustments to other salary levels. It cited states that have introduced minimum wages above ₦100,000 as examples of higher pay arrangements.

Explaining its rejection of the transport allowance, the TUC pointed to the incomplete implementation of a previous wage award agreed between the government and organised labour in October 2023. According to the congress, some workers are still owed one or two months’ payments, while others did not receive the award. It also alleged that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular and that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from a wage award.

The union argued that a direct salary increase would provide more dependable support than temporary payments whose implementation might be inconsistent. It stressed that negotiations over a new minimum wage should not be used to delay urgent salary adjustments for workers.

Beyond wages, the TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services. It also urged authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and support productive sectors capable of creating decent employment.

The congress also criticised the Federal Government over the outstanding adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which affects members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). It said the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after an agreement was reached to resolve issues connected to the unions’ industrial action.

According to the TUC, JOHESU suspended its strike in good faith after a conciliation process involving organised labour and government representatives. The congress accused the government of failing to fulfil its side of the agreement and called for the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, a clear timetable and the necessary budgetary provisions.

The TUC said it would stand with affected health workers and pursue lawful measures to secure compliance with the agreement. It added that the union was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.

The disagreement highlights continuing differences within organised labour over the adequacy of the government’s latest intervention. While the NLC reached an agreement with the government on the transport allowance, the TUC insists that lasting relief requires higher salaries, implementation of existing agreements and broader measures to address the cost of living.