₦70,000 Allowance: Ajaero Accuses TUC President Osifo of Being an ‘Absent President’
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, describing him as an absentee union leader amid disagreements over the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport allowance for workers.
Ajaero made the allegation during an interview with Channels Television, claiming that Osifo resides in the United States and only travels to Nigeria to attend union meetings.
“He (Festus Osifo) is an absentee president of the TUC; he doesn’t live in Nigeria. He comes in from the United States to attend meetings and rush back,” the NLC president said.
The disagreement between the two labour leaders follows the Federal Government’s approval of a monthly N70,000 transport allowance for public workers amid rising fuel costs and calls for a review of the minimum wage.
In a separate interview with Channels Television, Osifo challenged Ajaero’s position, arguing that the NLC president had no authority to negotiate on behalf of the TUC.
Ajaero had earlier faulted the TUC over the negotiations that resulted in the transport allowance, insisting that the congress was not involved in the discussions leading to the government’s approval.
The exchange has brought the differences between the two major labour centres into focus as they disagree over their participation in negotiations concerning workers’ welfare.
