NLC, TUC disagree on N70 deadline for new minimum wage negotiations

The President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, has revealed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the NLC are not in agreement on when the union and the federal government should start negotiations on the new minimum wage.

Union leaders also questioned the TUC for rejecting the proposed ₦70,000 transport allowance from the Federal Government, and said that the union was not involved in negotiations with the government.

He spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, adding, that from the start the NLC conducted negotiations independently of the TUC, so the TUC’s rejection of the result was surprising.

The NLC president recalled that the row started after the TUC president reportedly said the minimum wage would be negotiated in August 2027.

Ajaero said the NLC disagreed with that position, insisting it was inconsistent with the law, and continued its engagement with the government.

Ajaero said the TUC had not signed off on the six-month transport allowance agreement, and argued that the union should not oppose a non-negotiated arrangement.

“Why is the TUC opposing what is being given to workers when we stated clearly that the NLC acted alone?” Ajaero asked.

“The agreement was not signed by the TUC, and you don’t kick in something you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for it,” he added.

He added that he would prefer if the TUC asked for higher allowances so that the two unions could negotiate with the government to reach the same position.

“I would prefer a situation where if the NLC asks for one naira, the TUC will ask for 10 naira, and maybe the government will align them,” Ajaero said.

He said the TUC had also distanced itself from the process after reports emerged that the two employment centers were holding joint meetings with the government.

“When we started the first meeting, the media reported that the NLC and TUC were holding a meeting. They threatened us and said they were not involved,” he said.

Ajaero added that the NLC later issued a statement clarifying that it acted alone in the negotiations.

“We put out a statement that the NLC is doing this alone; we are not with the TUC. So I would be surprised why the TUC would oppose what has been given to the workers,” he said.

Regarding calls for wage increases, Ajaero believes that these adjustments cannot be made without a formal process involving relevant stakeholders.

“Is the government in a rush to raise wages? There must be a process,” he said.

He noted that the same TUC had called for the process to begin in August 2027, and added that the NLC had recommended that the relevant committees begin work immediately.

Ajaero said he remained concerned about the TUC’s position on transport benefits, questioning why the union was rejecting an arrangement that had not been negotiated or guaranteed.

“I’ve been worried for some time, why would you say you rejected something that wasn’t given to you,” he said.

The TUC has rejected the proposed wage award of ₦70,000 and demanded an immediate salary increase for workers.

It said the provision of temporary wages was not enough to address the economic hardships facing Nigerian workers, and they insisted that the Federal Government should implement wage increases.

Congress stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, NA Toro, the congress said.

The TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to meet its 2023 remuneration obligations to some workers and ignoring a seven-month agreement on adjustments to the Consolidated Health Pay Structure for health workers under the Amalgamated Health Sector Union.