Nigeria: TUC Rejects Govt's Proposed N70,000 Monthly Transport Allowance for Workers

What the report says

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has rejected the federal government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers, saying the measure is too limited and does not address the broader cost-of-living pressures facing employees. The report, published by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, said the allowance followed talks between the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja.

In its statement, the TUC argued that the government had the financial room to raise the pay of the lowest-paid worker well above the current minimum wage, rather than rely on a temporary transport relief. The union also said workers needed full implementation of existing agreements, including commitments reached in earlier labour negotiations and the JOHESU accord in the health sector.

The TUC added that past wage awards had not been implemented consistently, with some workers reportedly still owed payments. It said it would wait for the outcome of a further meeting with government before deciding its next steps.

The same report said the Nigeria Union of Pensioners criticised the exclusion of retirees from the transport relief, calling it unfair because pensioners also face transport and living-cost burdens. The pensioners’ union also renewed criticism of the government’s failure to deliver an earlier promised cash palliative for vulnerable households. In general, the dispute highlights continuing tensions between labour groups and the government over wages, welfare and inflation pressure in Nigeria.