The Congress also called on the Federal Government to implement the outstanding Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, fulfil its agreements with organised labour and introduce measures to address the rising cost of living.
The demands were contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, following a meeting of the TUC’s National Administrative Council held in Abuja on October 8.
According to the statement, the Congress subsequently submitted a demand letter dated October 8 to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), outlining its position on the economic hardship facing workers and the wider population.
TUC Demands Immediate Salary Review
The Congress argued that the Federal Government should increase workers’ salaries without waiting for another minimum wage negotiation.
It maintained that there was no legal requirement for the government to conclude a new minimum wage negotiation before reviewing and increasing workers’ pay.
The TUC cited states that have reportedly raised their minimum wages above ₦100,000, arguing that the Federal Government could increase the salary of its lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, followed by the appropriate consequential adjustments across other salary levels.
According to the Congress, although negotiations on the minimum wage are important, they should not prevent the government from taking immediate action to improve workers’ earnings amid prevailing economic difficulties.
The TUC said it reiterated its position during consultative meetings between its leadership and Federal Government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
However, it said the proposed wage award was rejected because temporary wage arrangements were neither sustainable nor sufficiently far-reaching to address workers’ economic challenges.
TUC Faults Implementation of Previous Wage Award
The Congress also expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023.
According to the TUC, the award was intended to remain in place until a new minimum wage was agreed upon in 2024.
However, the Congress alleged that the arrangement was never implemented comprehensively, leaving some workers owed one or two months’ payments, while others did not receive the award at all.
The TUC argued that the experience demonstrated the limitations of temporary wage arrangements and reinforced its demand for a more sustainable salary review.
It maintained that workers require meaningful improvements in their earnings rather than temporary interventions that may be inconsistently implemented.
TUC Demands Implementation of JOHESU Agreement
The Congress also criticised the Federal Government over outstanding commitments to the Joint Health Sector Unions.
It recalled that JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith following the signing of an agreement with the government.
However, the TUC alleged that while the affected workers had honoured their side of the agreement, the government had failed to fulfil its commitments.
The statement said the settlement provided for all outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment to be conclusively addressed without further delay.
Seven months after the agreement, the adjustment remained unimplemented, according to the Congress.
The TUC described the continued delay as a breach of good faith that undermined confidence in collective bargaining and was unacceptable to the labour movement.
It called on the Federal Government to implement the agreed CONHESS adjustment immediately, honour the JOHESU agreement, publish a clear implementation timetable, make the necessary budgetary provisions and resolve outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
The Congress further argued that health workers should not be expected to continue delivering essential services indefinitely while commitments made to them remain unfulfilled.
It vowed to stand with affected affiliates and pursue all lawful and legitimate measures necessary to secure compliance with the agreements.
Congress Insists Workers’ Welfare Is Not a Privilege
Reaffirming its institutional position, the TUC said workers were not seeking favours from the government but demanding social and economic justice to protect their dignity and livelihoods.
The Congress pledged to continue defending workers’ rights, highlighting cases of non-compliance with agreements and pursuing legitimate avenues to compel the government to honour its obligations.
It stressed that workers’ welfare should not be treated as a privilege, insisting that agreements must be respected and government commitments fulfilled.
The labour organisation also called for wage justice across all categories of workers, stronger social protection measures and a reduction in the cost of living, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.
According to the TUC, addressing the economic difficulties confronting workers requires more than temporary financial relief. It requires sustainable wage policies, respect for collective bargaining agreements and measures that protect workers’ purchasing power.
TUC Awaits Outcome of Meeting with Government
The Congress said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action.
It maintained that its demands require concrete implementation rather than further assurances, particularly regarding salary increases and the outstanding agreements affecting health workers.
The statement was signed by the TUC President-General, Comrade Engineer Festus Osifo, and the Secretary-General, Comrade General N. A. Toro, PhD, mni.
The Congress reiterated its commitment to defending workers’ interests and pursuing lawful measures to ensure that the government fulfils its obligations to Nigerian workers.
