TUC Presses Federal Government to Reinstate N35,000 Wage Award Payments

In a recent statement, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has passionately called upon the federal government to honor its commitment to workers by resuming the payment of the N35,000 wage award, a promise made by President Tinubu during his Independence Day address to the nation. The call comes as an outcome of the National Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, where Mr. Festus Osifo, the President of TUC, highlighted the disconcerting lapse in implementing the promised wage increase.

Osifo, addressing reporters, underscored that while President Tinubu had announced the N35,000 wage award as a six-month palliative for workers in response to the fuel subsidy removal during his October 1 address, this commitment has only been fulfilled once since October. The president of TUC urged the government to expedite the necessary processes, expressing concern that delays were causing frustration among workers. He emphasized the importance of removing any existing bottlenecks hindering the continuous payment of the agreed-upon wage.

Furthermore, Osifo called on state governments to follow suit and fulfill their commitments to pay the N35,000 wage. He commended those states that had already taken steps in this direction, applauding their commitment to supporting workers. Additionally, Osifo urged the private sector to fulfill its obligations regarding the wage award, emphasizing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring the well-being of the workforce.

Turning attention to Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, the TUC President raised concerns about the escalating national debt, particularly in light of President Tinubu’s recently submitted budget to the National Assembly. He expressed worry over the growing deficit in this year’s budget and the increasing level of borrowing, which poses a substantial burden on the nation. Osifo highlighted the challenge of balancing the amount needed to service the debt with the country’s national revenue, emphasizing the urgency for the federal government to address this pressing issue.

During the NEC session, Osifo emphasized the need for fiscal prudence in managing the country’s scarce resources. He underscored the ongoing suffering of the people due to prevailing hardships and called on governments at all levels to exercise caution and responsibility in managing the nation’s limited resources. The TUC President stressed the importance of strategic financial planning to ensure sustainable economic development and the well-being of the populace.

As the TUC continues to advocate for the timely fulfillment of the promised wage award and sound fiscal management, the spotlight remains on the government’s responsiveness to these pressing issues, with the hope that swift and effective measures will be taken to address the concerns raised by the trade union.