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Reps Urge FG To Fix Living Wage For Nigerian Workers Not Minimum Wage

Published

7 months ago

June 5, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…commend organised labour for commitment, suspension of strike

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to redirect the focus of the negotiations from fixing a new minimum wage to fixing a realistic living wage for Nigerians.

The lawmakers also commended Labour, Employment and Preductraity unions for their commitment towards negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers at this very critical period and the resolve to call off the strike in the interim.

The House further urged government to further consider the downward review of electricity tariff, to reduce the suffering of Nigerians.

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgent Need To Consider The Imperativeness Of Fixing a Living Wage For Nigerian Workers In Order To Ameliorate Current Economic Hardship”, by Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. Isa Ali, on Tuesday at plenary.

According to Rep. Ali, global economic outlook as well as recent socio-economic policies of government have resulted in inflation, increase in electricity tariff, currency devaluation and other diverse economic consequences especially for Nigerian workers.

He noted that government has been locked in negotiations with labour unions towards the upward review of the Minimum Wage for some time, without any agreement, leading to a recent interruption in the negotiations.

The Minority Whip further commended government for showing absolute commitment by imploring the labour unions to return to the negotiation table.

He said: “Aware that the National Assembly repealed and enacted the National Minimum Wage Acting 2019 to fix the minimum wage at 830,000 even when the wa the Executive arm had suggested $27,000 at the time;

“Also aware that in line with Section 3(4) of the Act, the extant minimum wage which commenced on April 18, 2019has expired after five years on April 18, 2024, thereby calling for a further review of the existing Act”.

He noted that the implication of payment of 835,000 wage award by the Federal Government to public servants as one of the ways of cushioning the effects of current economic hardship, including the May 1st pronouncement of percentage increases in salaries of civil servants has for the time being, increased the minimusrwage to 87000;

“Also notes that the Labour, Employment and Productivity unions has since demanded for a living wage as against the minimum wage to meet today’s economic realities;

“Desirous to fix a living wage for Nigerians in order to cushion the effects of economic downturn and activate productivity in the public service:”, he added.

Debating the motion extensively, lawmakers called for a living wage for the worker and not minimum wage.

“There are essential services that should be given attention during strike. As a result of the shutdown of the national grid, lots of lives were lost due to hospitals that could operate. The National Assembly should amend the National Minimum Wage Act”.

Rep. Aliyu Madaki said the issues of insecurity in the country and corruption is very worrisome.

“We can not fight corruption if we don’t have a living wage. The House already adopted a motion on living wage. Section 16 (2) already covered it in the constitution. What Nigerian workers deserve is living wage and not minimum wage.”

The House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, said the government has failed in the provision of security and welfare for the citizens; even as he said that the labour unions should not have shutdown the national grid.

“Section 14 and 16 provide for security and welfare of the people. Can we say we have carried out that function of governance? Can we say we have provided security and welfare? The answer NO!

“One Nigerian life, equal one minute silence. Workers are crying about their salaries as it is no longer possible to live on N50,000, and we expect them to earn that and continue to serve.

“We must provide living wages for the workers. We can’t shy away from living wages while talking about minimum wage.

“Also, sometimes, when they embark on strike, they should not overstep boundaries. Those who are protesting, why they have a good course, must adopt proper procedures and not violate the law.

“I want to say that with the speed we passed the national anthem act, we should recall the minimum wage act and pass it. And if the president refuses to sign, then we override him”, Chinda stated.

Rep. Stanley Olajide in his contribution called for the criminalization of certain actions.

“Shutting down the national grid is killing those you seek to protect. You can not embark on industrial action and kill people. We should criminalise Shutting down of national grid”.

The Deputy Minority Leader, George Ozodinobi, said there should be a benchmark of N75,000 which should be able to cover bills if workers

“I advocate a benchmark of N75,000, which is the price of a bag of rice, while also considering other things like school fees, medicals, and others”.

After an extensive debate of the motion, the House unanimously adopted the motion and referred it to the committee on Labour for further legislative actions.

News

Jubilation as Senator Manu links Gunduma to national grid, commissions, power project (Photos/Video)

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

…provides another transformer for Emir’s Palace and environs

Finally, after 15years of blackout, Senator Manu Haruna of Taraba Central Senatorial District has officially commissioned the Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project.

Senator Manu during the electioneering period had promised to link Gunduma to the national grid.

It’s indeed a promise well fulfilled as his constituents Jubilate.

This marks a historic moment for the community, which has been without electricity for the past 15 years. This transformative initiative underscores Senator Manu’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges and improving the lives of his constituents.

During the commissioning ceremony, former Federal Lawmaker of Taraba Central, Senator Dahiru Bako, commended Senator Manu for his dedication and vision in delivering this essential project.

Hon. Musa Chul Member House of Assembly Gassol II,Constituency TRHA described the achievement as a monumental milestone, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance economic activities and improve the standard of living for the residents of Gunduma Ward.

The Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project represents a significant step towards infrastructural development in Taraba Central and reflects Senator Manu’s proactive approach to governance and service delivery.

Manu also presented a new Transformer with specifications of 300KVA Valtage CL: 35KV and standard TS:EN60076-1 to the His Royal Highness Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna the Emir of Mutum-Biyu for the Mutum-Biyu Environs.

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Allegations by Niger Republic attempt to incite northerners against Tinubu – Presidency

Published

3 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says claims by the military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria is colluding with France to destabilise his county are despicable propaganda.

He declared that the claims were aimed at inciting Northern Nigeria against President Bola Tinubu.

Bwala said the military leader deliberately chose a local language in the North.

The media recalls that Abdourahamane Tchiani, military leader of Niger Republic, made the claims in an interview on Wednesday.

Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, alleged that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.

According to him, France made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shortly afterwards, dismissed the allegations and described them as baseless.

Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu.

“Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.

“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address economic situations in his country; everything is turning against him, and in the desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap false lies and propaganda against Nigeria.

“The choice of words used by the military leader is quite insultive for what his intentions are; probably in cohoot with politicians in Nigerians; you never know.

“But the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in Northern Nigeria against the President,” he added.

Bwala explained Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.

News

Police deny investigating VeryDarkMan’s missing N180m NGO funds

Published

3 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has said it is not investigating the claim by online personality, Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan’s that N180 million meant for his non-governmental organisation, NGO, has gone missing.

Vanguard reported, Friday, that VDM had alleged that over N180 million was stolen from his NGO’s account after it was hacked.

In October, Otse launched the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, raising over N35 million in donations within hours. Shortly after, he announced receiving a N100 million contribution from music producer Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy.

Otse further explained that he had to shut down the NGO’s app for maintenance to prevent further breaches and promised to provide updates on the situation.

VDM has in the video claimed that he had reported the matter to the police and he was also travelling to Jos because one of the hackers had been found.

According to reports, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, clarified that the command was not involved in the matter.

She said, “The FCT Police Command has no information regarding any missing funds involving VDM, nor is there any ongoing investigation into the matter. The individual concerned should be contacted directly for details on where the case was reported, as we have no record of such a case with our command.”