The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has declared that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, lacks the authority to negotiate on behalf of the entire organised labour force.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Osifo clarified that the TUC had independently communicated its rejection of the offer to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation long before the NLC concluded its separate meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour.
Ajaero had previously faulted the TUC for turning down the offer of the government, stressing that the sister union could not oppose an agreement it did not negotiate. In response, Osifo stated that the NLC leader only possessed the mandate to speak for his own members.
“Comrade Ajaero does not have the right to negotiate on behalf of organised labour and TUC members. He has the right to negotiate for Nigerian Labour Congress members,” Osifo stated.
The Trade Union Congress is demanding for an outright salary increase, stressing that the proposed six-month transport support falls short of workers’ expectations. The TUC leadership restates its core demand for a ₦300,000 salary increase, dismissing the ₦70,000 temporary transport support.
Osifo also stated that the Federal Government could implement immediate pay raises for workers while statutory negotiations for a new minimum wage remain pending ahead of February.
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