FG, labour strike eight-point deal on workers’ allowances, welfare

The Federal Government has agreed to pay public service workers ₦70,000 monthly as transport support for six months, while also committing to clear outstanding allowances and address other welfare concerns following negotiations with organised labour.

The agreements were reached at a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, amid growing pressure over the rising cost of living, fuel prices, wages and unpaid entitlements.

Under the arrangement, the transport intervention will begin in November 2026 and continue for six months. The government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances in three equal monthly instalments, starting in November.

The negotiations did not resolve every issue, as both parties remained divided over the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage arrangements.

The eight agreements cover transport support, allowance arrears, health workers’ entitlements, minimum wage negotiations, agricultural officers’ hazard allowances, health salary adjustments, tax relief and a review of implementation.

The eight agreements reached are:

1. ₦70,000 monthly transport support

The Federal Government will pay public service workers ₦70,000 monthly for six months, beginning in November 2026, to help cushion the pressure of rising living costs.

2. Payment of outstanding peculiar allowances

The government approved payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears with effect from May 1, 2026. The arrears will be settled in three equal monthly instalments, beginning in November.

3. Health workers’ allowance arrears

The government agreed to clear 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, starting from December 2026.

4. Fresh minimum wage negotiations

A Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee will be constituted and begin work immediately.

5. Hazard allowances for agricultural officers

The list of beneficiaries and cost implications for agricultural officers’ hazard allowances have been submitted for verification. The exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which an implementation template will be issued.

6. Review of CONHESS adjustment

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is expected to update the cost implications of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks. The assessment will enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to consider the matter.

7. Tax relief for workers

The issue of tax relief will be referred to the NLC’s National Executive Council for further consideration, as taxation is a statutory matter.

8. Review of implementation

The Federal Government and organised labour agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress on the commitments and determine the level of compliance.

The agreement followed an earlier conciliation meeting held on October 22 to address outstanding disputes between the government and labour.

The resolutions provide timelines for several payments and administrative processes, but the minimum wage implementation date remains unresolved. State and local governments were also urged to participate in the intervention process and implement relevant measures at their respective levels.