TUC Rejects FG’s N70,000 Wage Award, Demands N300,000 Minimum Salary

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate salary increase for workers and the implementation of outstanding agreements with health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The labour centre said temporary wage awards were inadequate to address the rising cost of living, insisting that workers needed permanent salary adjustments rather than relief measures that might not be implemented consistently.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026, the TUC accused the Federal Government of failing to fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations to some workers.

The congress also expressed concern over the non-implementation of a seven-month-old agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers under JOHESU.

According to the statement, the TUC had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, calling for an immediate salary review in response to rising living costs.

The congress argued that the government did not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries, noting that there was no legal ceiling on how much employers could pay.

“The Federal Government should review increasing workers’ salaries. This was hinged on the fact that the government does not require the minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay, as there is no maximum wage law in the country,” the statement said.

The TUC proposed that the government raise the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 from the current N70,000, with corresponding adjustments to other salary levels.

It maintained that negotiations on the national minimum wage should not be used to delay urgent salary increases for workers struggling with the cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential needs.

TUC questions implementation of previous wage award

The congress said its leadership had held consultations with government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during which it rejected the proposed wage award.

Explaining its position, the TUC said the wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended as interim relief until a new minimum wage was agreed in 2024. However, it alleged that the arrangement was never fully implemented.

“The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023 was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically,” the statement said.

The congress claimed that some workers were still owed one or two months of payments, while others had not received the allowance at all. It further alleged that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, forcing workers to make repeated demands for their entitlements.

The TUC also claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.

“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?” the congress asked.

It insisted that permanent salary increases would provide more reliable relief than temporary allowances that might not reach workers uniformly.

Beyond wage adjustments, the TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It also urged authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.

The congress said economic hardship affected not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and people in the informal economy. It called for adequately funded interventions with clear implementation timelines.

TUC demands implementation of JOHESU agreement

The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to honour an agreement reached with JOHESU following months of industrial action.

According to the statement, TUC President Festus Osifo led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU leaders and a representative of another labour congress, during negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute.

The discussions culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties agreed to a communiqué.

The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The TUC said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was signed but alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its obligations concerning the adjustment of CONHESS.

“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement said.

The congress described the delay as a breach of good faith, warning that failure to honour agreements could weaken confidence in collective bargaining between the government and organised labour.

It demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear implementation timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.

The TUC maintained that health workers should not be expected to continue delivering essential services while agreements concerning their welfare remained unfulfilled.

“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” the statement added, pledging support for affected unions and lawful efforts to secure compliance.

The congress reiterated that workers were demanding improved living conditions and respect for their rights, rather than special favours.

It said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. The statement did not announce an immediate nationwide strike.

The dispute comes amid continued pressure on organised labour to secure better wages following the rising cost of living associated with higher food, transportation and household expenses.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage law, raising the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after negotiations between the government and organised labour.

However, the TUC’s latest position underscores its argument that the minimum wage agreement has not resolved broader demands for salary adjustments or concerns about the implementation of previous wage commitments.