ABUJA, Nigeria – The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 transport intervention for workers, demanding a permanent salary increase that could raise the pay of the lowest-paid federal worker to ₦300,000.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the labour body described the proposed intervention as temporary and inadequate, arguing that it would not provide lasting relief to workers grappling with rising living costs. “We reject the proposed ₦70,000 wage award because it is temporary and inadequate to address the rising cost of living. Workers deserve a sustainable improvement in their earnings, and the Federal Government should take concrete steps to ensure that their salaries reflect the economic realities they face,” the congress said.
The TUC argued that the government could increase workers’ salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage, noting that the law does not prescribe a maximum salary employers can pay. It also cited state governments that have raised their minimum wages above ₦100,000 as evidence that higher pay is possible.
The congress said its rejection was partly informed by what it described as incomplete implementation of a previous wage award agreement reached on 2 October 2023. According to the union, some workers did not receive their full entitlements under the agreement.
The TUC has called for a clear commitment to permanent salary increases, arguing that workers need predictable earnings rather than temporary interventions that may not reach all eligible beneficiaries. Beyond the proposed wage award, the congress demanded immediate implementation of the agreed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
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