The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the N70,000 monthly transport allowance approved for workers for six months, calling instead for an immediate salary increase.
TUC President Festus Osifo told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that regular salaries offered more dependable support than temporary wage awards, which he said had previously been paid unevenly.
The federal government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) agreed the transport allowance at Tuesday’s conciliation meeting. The NLC published the resolutions providing for payments from November and urging state and local governments to participate.
Osifo said negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from raising salaries now. He said the hardship facing federal workers also affected state and local government employees, pensioners and private-sector workers.
The union called for timely salary and pension payments, protection of existing jobs and measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
The government and NLC agreed to review implementation after one month. The TUC said it would decide its next steps after a scheduled meeting with the government.
Sources: NLC resolutions; Daily Trust; Channels Television; NaijaTrend background report
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