Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has criticized the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for turning down the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport support package for civil servants, calling the rejection inappropriate.
Ajaero spoke during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, saying the TUC did not negotiate the allowance with the Federal Government and should not reject an agreement reached by another labour centre.
The TUC had on Wednesday rejected the six-month transport allowance, arguing that temporary wage awards were neither “sustainable” nor “far-reaching”.
In a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the union urged the Federal Government to increase workers’ salaries instead.
The allowance was announced on Tuesday following a conciliation meeting in Abuja between government representatives and NLC leaders. The agreement was documented in a memorandum of understanding.
Reacting to the TUC’s position, Ajaero said the congress should negotiate its own terms with the government rather than oppose an agreement it was not part of.
“The agreement was not signed by TUC. You don’t kick against something you did not negotiate or ask for,” he said.
He added that he would have preferred both labour centres to negotiate for better terms, saying: “I would have preferred a situation whereby if NLC was asking for one naira, TUC will be asking for 10 naira.”
Ajaero also said the TUC had not requested government intervention over rising transport costs.
“TUC never asked for intervention as a result of the rising cost of transportation. On the issue of asking for wage increase, does the government gift wage increase? There must be a process put in place,” he said.
The NLC president maintained that the TUC could seek its own agreement but had no authority to reject the terms negotiated by a sister labour organisation.
“I’m worried for some time now why you will say you reject something that was not given to you. That is not proper.
“You don’t have the power to reject what a sister agency negotiates. You have the power to ask for your own,” Ajaero said.
The NLC and TUC have both repeatedly called for improved wages for Nigerian workers amid concerns over the rising cost of living.
What You Should Know
The disagreement between Nigeria’s two major labour bodies highlights internal divisions regarding how worker welfare and allowances are negotiated with the government during economic hardships.
- Positive Impact: Public sector workers who accept the allowance may receive immediate financial relief for daily commuting costs.
- Potential Concerns: Disunity among labour unions could weaken their collective bargaining power when engaging authorities on critical issues like wages and inflation.
