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The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has questioned the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) opposition to the Nigerian Government’s proposed ₦70,000 transport allowance, insisting that the union was not involved in the negotiations.
Ajaero said the NLC had made it clear from the outset that it was negotiating with the government independently of the TUC, making the latter’s criticism of the agreement surprising.
He spoke on Thursday during an interview where he argued that it was unreasonable for the TUC to oppose an agreement it neither negotiated nor signed.
“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” Ajaero asked.
“The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for,” he added.
The NLC president said he would have preferred the TUC to demand a higher allowance, allowing both labour centres to negotiate with the government towards a common position.
“I would have preferred a situation whereby if NLC was asking for one naira, TUC would be asking for 10 naira, and probably the government would harmonise it,” Ajaero said.
Credit: TheCable
Disagreement Over Wage Negotiations
Ajaero traced the disagreement to comments reportedly made by the TUC president suggesting that the minimum wage would be due for negotiation in August 2027.
He said the NLC disagreed with that position, arguing that it was inconsistent with the law, and decided to pursue its own engagement with theNigerian Government.
According to Ajaero, the TUC also distanced itself from the negotiations after reports emerged that both labour centres were meeting with the 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,” he said.
He added that the NLC subsequently issued a statement clarifying that it was conducting the negotiations independently.
“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 said.
Ajaero also dismissed suggestions that the government could simply grant workers a salary increase without a formal negotiation process.
“Does the government dash wage increase? There must be a process put in place,” he said.
He noted that the TUC had called for the wage negotiation process to begin in August 2027, while the NLC had advocated for the relevant committee to commence work immediately.
The NLC president said he remained concerned about the TUC’s position, questioning why the union would reject an arrangement it had neither negotiated nor secured.
“I have been worried for some time now, why you say you reject something that was not given to you,” he said.
TUC Demands Immediate Salary Increase
The disagreement followed the TUC’s rejection of the proposed ₦70,000 wage award, with the union demanding an immediate salary increase for Nigerian workers.
The congress argued that temporary wage awards were inadequate to address the economic hardship facing workers and called on the Nigerian Government to implement a salary increase instead.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and its Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, also accused the government of failing to fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations to some workers.
The union further alleged that the government had neglected a seven-month-old agreement on adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The dispute highlights the differences between the two major labour centres over how best to secure improved wages and financial relief for Nigerian workers amid prevailing economic challenges.
