The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly wage award for federal workers, insisting that the government can afford to raise the minimum salary to ₦300,000.
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The proposal followed a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
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In a statement signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the TUC said workers needed a substantial and lasting salary increase rather than temporary financial assistance that might not benefit everyone.
The union also called on the government to implement its agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), citing the economic hardship facing workers and Nigerians generally.
The TUC maintained that workers were not seeking favours but demanding fair economic conditions that would protect their livelihoods and dignity.
The union argued that the previous wage award introduced in October 2023 had not been fully implemented before a new national minimum wage was agreed in 2024.
According to the TUC, some workers received payments for only one or two months, while others did not receive any payment.
It also criticised the irregular disbursement of the earlier ₦40,000 wage award, claiming that some workers received payments covering as many as four months, but the money was not paid consistently each month.
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The union further alleged that more than 80 per cent of state governments and employers in the informal sector failed to implement any form of wage award.
It questioned the government’s decision to propose another temporary payment while previous commitments remained outstanding, asking how workers could trust new promises when earlier obligations had not been fulfilled.
The TUC said a salary increase would offer workers more dependable financial relief than a temporary wage award, particularly amid rising living costs.
It added that ongoing negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from introducing an immediate pay rise to ease workers’ financial difficulties.
The union also stressed that the economic crisis extended beyond federal employees, noting that state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people in the informal economy were equally affected by rising prices.
It identified the increasing costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential needs as major concerns for households across the country.
The TUC urged governments at all levels to take practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs and address exploitative labour practices.
It also called for renewed efforts to strengthen the productive sector and expand opportunities for decent employment.
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