NLC's Ajaero slams TUC over N70k transport allowance rejection
NLC President Joe Ajaero has fired back at TUC for rejecting the federal government's newly approved N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers. In a Channels Television interview Wednesday, Ajaero said TUC never negotiated for any cost-of-living intervention while NLC pushed alone for worker relief.
"You don't kick against something you did not ask for or negotiate for," Ajaero said. "TUC never asked for intervention as a result of rising cost of living." The allowance comes amid fuel price hikes and renewed minimum wage discussions. TUC had demanded N300,000 instead, calling the N70,000 offer insufficient.
The disagreement exposes a fracture between Nigeria's two major labor centers at a critical moment. NLC secured the allowance through solo negotiations with the Tinubu administration. TUC's rejection risks undermining collective bargaining power for future wage reviews.
For public workers, the N70,000 transport allowance is approved and should reflect in payrolls. Implementation details remain with individual MDAs. The labor disunity suggests workers may need to pressure both unions to present a united front when minimum wage talks resume.
Will a divided labor movement weaken your bargaining power when the minimum wage review actually happens?