By Adeniyi Bakare
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s proposed N70,000 monthly allowance for workers, calling for immediate approval of salary increase to cushion the economic hardship, rising food prices, and surging transportation costs currently being experienced by the nation’s workforce.
This was contained in statement issued by the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo and the Secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro.
The statement urges the Federal Government to set the baseline pay for the lowest-paid Nigerian worker at N300,000, pointing out that several state governments have already taken proactive measures by raising their minimum wages above N100,000.
It reveals that over 80 percent of states and the informal sector failed to implement previous wage awards and stressed that the prevailing economic pressures are not limited to federal civil servants, but affect state and local government employees and pensioners.
The statement therefore calls on governments at all levels to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions.