The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress for rejecting the Federal Government’s recently approved N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public sector workers.
Ajaero, who spoke in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, said the TUC had not negotiated with the government for any intervention to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.
He said the NLC had been pushing for relief for workers while the TUC remained on the sidelines.
Ajaero argued that the TUC could not oppose an intervention secured through the NLC’s efforts when it had not previously demanded such a measure. 
He said, “You don’t kick against something you did not ask for or negotiate for. You have not asked for anything all these years, and 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. Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?”
The TUC had earlier rejected the N70,000 allowance, demanding N300,000 monthly instead, citing the rising cost of transportation and the broader cost-of-living crisis.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration approved the N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers amid rising fuel prices and renewed calls for an upward review of workers’ wages.
