The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has rejected the N70,000 allowance offered by the Federal Government and demanded a N300,000 salary.
This is contained in a statement by the President of the TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, and the Secretary-General of the union, Comrade N. A. Toro, on Wednesday.
This was in reaction to the new allowance package of the Federal Government for workers.
The union said that the N70,000 allowance is not realistic and cannot take care of the present economic hardship being faced by Nigerian workers.
It added that with the rising cost of living, high inflation and the removal of fuel subsidy, N70,000 is grossly inadequate.
The TUC, therefore, demanded N300,000 as a more realistic salary that will cushion the effects of the economic hardship on workers.
It, therefore, issued a stern warning that it would not accept anything less than N300,000, saying Nigerian workers deserve a better deal.
The TUC said that the government’s failure to keep its promises has weakened confidence in agreements reached between labour unions and authorities.
“TUC then calls 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 revitalize the productive sector to create decent employment,” it said.
The Federal Government has not reacted to the union’s demand as of the time of filing this report.