By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representives 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.
Sequel to a motion of urgent public importance, during plenary today, MINORITY WHIP HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Hon. Isa Ali, 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.
“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.”
“Cognizant of the fact that 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.”
Each of the lawmakers who took turn to express their displeasure over why the federal government should have allowed it get to this level of labour striking, however disapproved of labor shutting down the national grid and the airports while on strike as this goes against what it intends to achieve which is fighting for the masses and at the same time suffering them.
In their resolution, the house Commended Labour, Empleyment and Preductivity unions for their commitment towards negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers at this very critical period and resolve to call off the strike in the interim;
They Urge government to redirect the focus of the negotiations from fixing a new minimum wage to fixing a realistic living wage for Nigerians and also urge government to further consider the downward review of electricity tariff, to reduce the suffering of Nigerians.
Deputy speaker of the House Hon. Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary further said that those render essential service should consider section 31 sub. Section 6 of the trade union act on the need to consider the masses not create room for chaos.
