Ajaero tackles TUC over rejection of ₦70,000 transport allowance for workers

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over its rejection of the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance approved for public workers by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Ajaero said the TUC had not sought government intervention to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.

He explained that the NLC had been pushing for relief for workers while the TUC remained on the sidelines, arguing that the congress should not oppose an intervention it had neither requested nor negotiated.

“You don't kick against something you did not ask for or negotiate for. And you haven't asked for anything all these years, suddenly something was given to NLC and you now say you are kicking against it. TUC never asked for intervention as a result of rising cost of living,” Ajaero said.

He questioned why the TUC was challenging the allowance when the NLC had made it clear that it was negotiating with the government independently.

“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” he asked.

The disagreement followed the TUC’s rejection of the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance, with the union demanding ₦300,000 instead.

Tinubu’s administration approved the allowance amid rising fuel prices and growing concerns over the cost of living and workers’ purchasing power.