The leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the federal government's proposed six-month N70,000 transportation allowance for workers, describing it as a "haphazard measure" to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. Instead, the TUC is demanding an immediate salary increment for workers. This development comes after the government approved the allowance for public servants, starting in November, to mitigate the impact of rising living costs.
The government had approved the N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants at a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. The meeting, which lasted several hours, also led to the approval of the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November. However, the TUC was not part of the decision, according to a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting.
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, has argued that temporary wage awards are not sustainable and that the government must raise the wage level immediately. He noted that previous wage awards, such as the one agreed on October 2, 2023, were not enforced holistically, with many states and the informal sector failing to implement them. Osifo emphasized that a pay rise for all government workers is necessary, as salary is the only consistent and far-reaching pay that workers can rely upon.
The TUC has also called on governments at all levels to implement measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services. The union wants the government to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices, and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment. These interventions, according to the TUC, must be inclusive, adequately funded, and supported by clear implementation timelines.
Meanwhile, members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have condemned their exclusion from the N70,000 monthly transport allowance approved for serving public servants. The NUP President, Godwin Abumisi, described the exclusion as "unjust," saying retired workers were also grappling with rising transportation costs, food prices, and healthcare expenses. The NUP is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that pensioners are given fair consideration.
The NUP has also expressed concerns over the non-payment of the N25,000 monthly palliative promised by the federal government to vulnerable households, including pensioners. The union lamented that the commitment remained unfulfilled for eligible pensioners and called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to take action. The NUP's concerns highlight the plight of pensioners, who often struggle to survive on inadequate pensions.
The rejection of the transport allowance by the TUC and the concerns of the NUP underscore the ongoing challenges facing Nigerian workers and pensioners amid rising living costs. The government's efforts to mitigate these challenges have been criticized as inadequate, with many calling for more comprehensive measures to address the economic crisis.
Key points
- The Trade Union Congress rejects the government's proposed N70,000 transport allowance, citing its temporary nature and limited scope.
- The Nigeria Union of Pensioners condemns its exclusion from the transport allowance, highlighting the plight of retired workers amid rising living costs.
- The TUC demands an immediate salary increment for workers, citing the need for a sustainable solution to the economic crisis.
