The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, arguing that the lowest-paid federal worker’s salary could be raised to N300,000 to address the rising cost of living.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the congress described the proposed award as temporary and inadequate, insisting that workers need sustainable improvements in their earnings rather than short-term relief.
The TUC argued that the government could increase salaries without negotiating another national minimum wage, noting that no law prescribes a maximum wage.
It also cited some state governments that have raised their minimum wages above N100,000 as evidence that more substantial adjustments are possible.
The proposed N300,000 pay level remains a demand for government consideration and is not an approved salary increase.
The congress also expressed concerns over the implementation of previous commitments, recalling that a wage award agreed upon on October 2, 2023, had not been fully implemented.
According to the TUC, some workers were left unpaid or did not receive the full benefits of the arrangement, undermining confidence in collective bargaining.
It called for a clear implementation timetable and adequate budgetary provisions to ensure that any new salary commitments are honoured.
Health Workers’ Salary Adjustment Still Outstanding
The TUC further demanded the immediate implementation of the agreed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS, for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.
It said seven months had passed since the agreement was reached, yet the adjustment remained outstanding.
The congress urged the Federal Government to honour the terms of settlement that led to JOHESU suspending its industrial action, warning that delays could weaken trust between organised labour and the government.
TUC Awaits Outcome of Government Meeting
The congress said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action.
It expects concrete commitments on salary adjustments, the implementation of the JOHESU agreement and the resolution of outstanding wage-related issues.
The TUC maintained that fulfilling existing agreements would be essential to restoring workers’ confidence in negotiations with the government.
