N70,000 Allowance Row: Labour Elders Step In To End NLC, TUC Feud
Labour veterans from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have intervened in the face off between NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo over the Federal Government approved N70,000 transport allowance for workers.
The rift followed the approval of the allowance to cushion the effect of high transportation costs occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. The disagreement later degenerated into personal attacks on national television, a situation that raised fears over unity within the labour movement.
Worried by the development, the veterans met to bring the situation under control. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the 52nd session of the National Executive Council of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, former NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the veterans had been able to arrest any form of hostility between the two leaders.
Wabba described the dispute as a family misunderstanding between the two centres. He said workers organisations are supposed to be one because the objective is one and the aim is one. He added that all hostilities should stop while efforts are made to prevent future occurrences through formal dialogue.
He listed the veterans involved as Peter Esele, Bobboi Kaigama, Hassan Sunmonu, Abdulwaheed Omar and himself. He said the veterans had communicated among themselves and with the two leaders, who mutually accepted the intervention. He noted that a formal meeting would be held when all parties are available.
Speaking earlier, Ajaero said the agreed N70,000 transport intervention had become secured for workers. He said when discussions for a new minimum wage begin, the money would form part of what would be added. He insisted that what has been secured cannot be taken away from workers.
The TUC, on its part, has argued that the allowance should be built into the salary structure of workers rather than treated as a temporary payment. The veterans said the goal is to restore unity and ensure organised labour speaks with one voice in defence of Nigerian workers.
