The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the newly proposed ₦70,000 transport allowance for workers.
Ajaero revealed that the TUC was completely absent from the negotiating table with the Federal Government and therefore lacks the moral ground to oppose the outcome.
Ajaero made the assertion on Thursday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, clarifying that the NLC acted as an independent negotiating body:
“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone? The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for,” Ajaero stated.
Ajaero recalled that the initial disagreement emanated from the claim by TUC leadership that the national minimum wage would only be due for renegotiation in August 2027. He stated that the NLC disagreed with that timeline, insisting it violated existing labour laws, and proceeded to engage the government independently.
He also revealed that the TUC had previously issued threats distancing itself from the negotiations when media reports erroneously suggested that both labour unions were jointly meeting with the Federal Government.
“When we started the first meeting, the media reported that NLC and TUC had a meeting. They threatened us and said they are not part of it. We came out with a statement that NLC is on this alone; we are not with TUC. So I would be surprised why TUC would be challenging what was gotten for the workers,” he added.
Ajaero, when addressing the TUC’s demands for a total salary increase rather than a temporary transport allowance, argued that comprehensive wage adjustments require formal procedural reviews involving all critical stakeholders.
He expressed shock that the same union advocating for minimum wage talks to begin in 2027 is suddenly demanding salary hikes.
On Wednesday, the TUC, through a joint statement issued by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, rejected the ₦70,000 temporary wage award. The congress insisted that a temporary allowance remains inadequate to mitigate the economic hardship currently ravaging Nigerian workers, demanding a permanent salary review instead.
Leave a comment