The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to increase salaries and implement the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) agreement rather than the N70,000 six-month transportation allowance approved for workers.
President Tinubu on Tuesday announced intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a conciliation meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
However, NUC said, rising from its National Administrative Council meeting on the 8th of October in Abuja, it had sent a demand letter dated 8th of October, 2026 to the Federal Government through the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation on the current economic hardship facing workers and the wider population and proposed measures to address it.
The labour union said it would prefer salary increments rather than temporary “haphazard” measures.
“In the said letter, our position was very clear, Federal Government should review increase salaries of workers. This was hinged on the fact that government does not require minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay as there is no maximum wage law in the country.”
The Union argued that FG was capable of increasing the lowest workers’ salaries to N300,000, citing instances of selected state governments that have increased minimum wages above N100, 000.
“Some states today have raised their minimum wage above N100,000 such that federal government can raise the pay of the lowest worker to N300,000 for example from the current N70,000 and then apply the applicable consequential adjustment.
“While it is good to negotiate minimum wage which will affect other cadre of workers, FGN must raise wage level immediately as there are no law or historical practices stopping it from doing so.
“Following the letter, the leadership of congress had consultative meetings with FG officials including the Secretary of the Government of the Federation where our position as stated in the letter was further canvassed. The proposal of wage award was mentioned but we vehemently rejected it because of the following reasons;
Temporary Wage Awards Not Sustainable And Far-Reaching
The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023, TUC argued, was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically.
It noted that some workers are still being owed one or two months, while some others never received the award at all.
“How do we go back to the same wage award that never benefited all workers? How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?
“Irregularity in the payment of the wage award of 2023 as those that even got up to four months’ wage award of N40,000 never got it every month but with one- or two-months’ interval and several pushes.”
It noted that over 80% of the states and informal sector never implemented any form of wage award.
“From the foregoing we further reiterate our demand for a pay raise for all government workers as salary is the only consistent and far-reaching pay that workers could rely upon.
“This was our position during the consultative interaction and it’s still our position today; as we strongly believe that the long sacrifices of Nigerian workers should not be sacrificed at the altar of an ill-conceived temporary measure.”
The TUC argued that negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment.
Cost of Living Relief and Protection of Vulnerable Nigerians
During the interaction, TUC noted that it also opined that the economic crisis affects not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private sector workers and workers in the informal economy, who face rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essentials.
TUC then called 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 revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.
It reiterated that these interventions must be inclusive, adequately funded and supported by clear implementation timelines. And that Government must move beyond policy announcements and demonstrate tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.
On JOHESU Issue
It noted that the TUC President, Comrade Engr. Festus OSIFO had led the organised labour team that included JOHESU leadership and a representative from its sister congress to resolve the JOHESU industrial action that had lasted for several months.
“After several intervening meetings that were held at the office of the minister of health, a final conciliatory meeting was held at the office of the minister of labour and employment where a communiqué was agreed to by both parties.
“The Federal Government delegation was led by the minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for social welfare, Prof Ali Pate, the then Hon Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edu.”
It argued that the signing of an agreement led to JOHESU’s suspension of industrial action in good faith.
It, however, said that while the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government had yet to fulfill its side of the agreement.
“Under the terms of settlement, it was agreed that all outstanding issues relating to CONHESS adjustment shall be conclusively addressed and disposed of without further delay; seven months later, the adjustment remains unimplemented.
“This continued failure to honour an explicit commitment violates the principle of good faith, undermines confidence in collective bargaining and is absolutely unacceptable to the TUC.”
It called on the Federal Government to immediately implement the agreed CONHESS adjustment, honour the JOHESU agreement, publish a clear implementation timetable, provide the necessary budgetary provisions and resolve all outstanding matters in consultation with the relevant unions.
“Health workers must not be expected to continue delivering essential services while commitments made to them remain unfulfilled.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances. It will stand firmly with the affected affiliates and health workers and pursue every lawful and legitimate measure necessary to secure compliance.”
On TUC’s Institutional Position, TUC noted that workers are not asking for favours, but demanding social and economic justice that protects their dignity and livelihoods.
“The TUC will continue to defend workers’ rights without retreat, expose non-compliance and pursue every legitimate avenue to compel government to honour its obligations.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply.
“TUC therefore rejects inadequate temporary relief and demands wage justice for all categories of workers, social protection and reduction of cost of living for the vulnerable and full compliance with agreements.
“TUC therefore awaits the final outcome of the scheduled meeting with government to decide on its next line of action”, the TUC said.
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