A dispute has emerged between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress over a reported federal government proposal to pay workers a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for six months.
NLC President Joe Ajaero defended the arrangement, saying the TUC had withdrawn from the negotiations and could not reject an agreement it did not participate in securing.
Speaking on television, Ajaero argued that the TUC should seek a higher allowance if it considered the proposed support inadequate, rather than oppose the outcome of the NLC’s engagement with government.
The TUC, however, expressed concern that temporary wage awards might not reach all eligible workers and called for a more durable adjustment to salaries. Its president, Festus Osifo, said previous interventions had left some workers without the benefits they were promised.
Despite the disagreement, representatives of both labour centers told a labour correspondents’ conference in Abuja that they remained committed to securing a living wage and protecting workers’ interests ahead of future minimum wage negotiations.
An NLC representative argued that rising living costs and changing employment practices demanded stronger protections for workers, including those facing casual employment and insecurity in the digital economy.
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association supported fair remuneration but cautioned that wage agreements must also account for business sustainability, productivity and employers’ capacity to pay.
The association called for improvements in electricity supply, taxation and the wider business environment to help employers meet higher labour costs.
Speakers at the conference also emphasized the relationship between worker welfare, productivity and industrial stability. The reported transport allowance and its precise eligibility conditions should be checked against the formal government agreement before workers are advised to expect payment.
