The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has openly criticised its sister central labor organization, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, following the TUC’s rejection of the newly negotiated ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers. The NLC described the six-month temporary allowance as a critical, timely intervention designed to cushion the immediate economic impact of skyrocketing petrol pump prices and the mounting cost of living.
The public disagreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) secured during conciliation talks between Federal Government representatives and NLC leadership in Abuja. The agreement established a ₦70,000 monthly transport palliative spanning six months for public sector employees across all tiers.
Shortly after the agreement was announced, the TUC issued a formal statement signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro. The TUC rejected the palliative framework, describing temporary wage awards as inadequate band-aids and demanding a permanent, structural salary increase for workers instead.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief program, on Thursday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero questioned the basis and propriety of the TUC’s stance, emphasizing that the TUC was not part of the conciliation process. ”The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate,” Ajaero stated.
“I have been worried for some time now, why would you say you reject something that was not given to you? That is not proper. You don’t have the power to reject what a sister agency negotiates. You have the power to ask for your own.” Ajaero added that wage increases require structured, formal negotiations among all relevant stakeholders rather than immediate administrative decrees.
He encouraged the TUC to negotiate directly with the government for its own members if it felt higher demands were warranted, rather than undermining a deal secured to provide immediate relief to Nigerian workers.
