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He said: “Aware that the National Assembly repealed and enacted the National Minimum Wage Acting 2019 to fix the minimum wage at 830,000 even when the wa the Executive arm had suggested $27,000 at the time;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