President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, on Thursday, countered the Trade Union Congress’ rejection of the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 transport allowance.
NLC said TUC was not involved in negotiations with the Federal Government.
Ajaero said the NLC had made it clear from the beginning that it was negotiating without involvement of the TUC, expressing surprise at the latter’s opposition to the outcome.
The NLC president,who spoke on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, said the TUC did not sign the agreement, stressing that the union should not oppose an arrangement it did not negotiate.
Ajaero said, “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.”
He added that he would have preferred the TUC to demand a higher allowance so that both unions could 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.
He recalled that the disagreement began after the TUC president reportedly said the minimum wage would be due for negotiation in August 2027.
Ajaero said the NLC disagreed with that position, insisting that it was inconsistent with the law, and proceeded with its own engagement with the government.
Ajaero said the TUC had also distanced itself from the process after reports emerged that both labour centres were jointly 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 acting alone in the negotiations.
“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.
On calls for a wage increase, Ajaero argued that such an adjustment could not be granted without a formal process involving the relevant stakeholders.
“Does the government dash wage increase? There must be a process put in place,” he said.
He noted that the same TUC had called for the process to begin in August 2027, adding that the NLC had advocated that the relevant committee commence work immediately.
Ajaero said he remained concerned about the TUC’s position on the transport allowance, questioning why the union would reject an arrangement it had not negotiated or secured.
“I have been worried for some time now, why you say you reject something that was not given to you,” he said.
Recall that the TUC had rejected the proposed ₦70,000 wage award and demanded an immediate salary increase for workers.
The union said temporary wage awards are inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers, insisting the Federal Government should implement a salary increase instead.
The congress stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the congress said
TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations to some workers and of neglecting a seven-month-old agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions.
