The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has rejected the Federal Government’s N70,000 allowance for workers, demanding a salary of N300,000 to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The union made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Comrade N. A. Toro, in response to the government’s new allowance package.
The TUC described the N70,000 offer as inadequate and unrealistic, arguing that it could not address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.
It said rising living costs, high inflation and the removal of fuel subsidy had further weakened workers’ purchasing power, making the proposed allowance insufficient to meet their needs.
The union consequently demanded N300,000 as a more realistic salary to help workers cope with the prevailing economic challenges.
It warned that it would not accept anything below the amount, insisting that Nigerian workers deserved better remuneration and improved working conditions.
The TUC also expressed concern that the government’s failure to honour its commitments had weakened confidence in agreements reached between labour unions and the authorities.
“TUC then calls on governments at all levels to implement measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalize the productive sector to create decent employment,” it said.
The Federal Government had yet to respond to the union’s demand as of the time the report was published.
