The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has defended the Federal Government\u2019s approval of a N70,000 transportation allowance for public servants, dismissing the Trade Union Congress\u2019s (TUC) rejection of the arrangement.<\/p>\n
This was contained in a letter signed by JNPSNC National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga and issued on Sunday in Abuja to the council\u2019s affiliated unions and state councils.<\/p>\n
The council said the allowance was part of an agreement reached between the government and organised labour after negotiations on workers\u2019 welfare and rising transportation costs.<\/p>\n
The allowance is payable for six months, beginning in November 2026.<\/p>\n
The disagreement follows differing positions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC on the allowance, with the NLC defending the agreement while the TUC has called for higher permanent salaries.<\/p>\n
Gbenga said the allowance was intended to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on public servants and their dependants.<\/p>\n
He explained that the agreement followed a meeting held on October 27, presided over by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, with representatives of the NLC, JNPSNC and Joint Health Sector Unions in attendance.<\/p>\n
According to Gbenga, the meeting lasted more than six hours before the government and labour representatives reached an agreement on several issues affecting workers.<\/p>\n
He clarified that the TUC was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement, although it was entitled to express its views on labour-related matters.<\/p>\n
The JNPSNC secretary added that any proposal by the TUC for a higher transportation allowance would be welcome if it resulted in additional benefits for public servants.<\/p>\n
The council said the agreement also provided for the implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance, effective November 2026, with arrears dating back to May 1 to be paid in three instalments.<\/p>\n
The government also agreed to establish a tripartite negotiation committee comprising representatives of the government, organised labour and the Nigeria Employers\u2019 Consultative Association (NECA), following a demand by the JNPSNC.<\/p>\n
The council had embarked on a three-day warning strike on October 2 to press for the establishment of the committee and the resolution of outstanding workers\u2019 welfare demands.<\/p>\n
The JNPSNC urged federal, state and local governments to honour the agreement, saying effective implementation would strengthen collective bargaining, restore confidence and improve workers\u2019 welfare nationwide.<\/p>\n