Business and Economy
Senate to give new minimum wage bill expeditious consideration
By Iyojo Ameh
The Senate says it will give the expected new minimum wage bill from the Executive arm of government , expeditious consideration for improved welfare of workers and industrial harmony in the country .
Senate’s plan for expeditious consideration of the bill when received, is contained in a statement issued by Chairman of its Committee on Employment , Labour and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang representing Plateau Central.
Senator Plang in the statement , assures Nigerians that the 10th Senate and by extension, 10th National Assembly , of its commitment to improving the living conditions of workers in the country to tackle existing high level of poverty at hand .
Senator plang applauded efforts of the Federal Government and the Organized Labour for agreeing , to set in motion, necessary machinery to review the current Minimum Wage in Nigeria as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the negotiating parties .
‘The Senate Committee on Employment , Labour and Productivity under my chairmanship , is prepared to give expeditious attention to the passage of a new Act, once negotiation on the matter is concluded and such bill transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment’
He commended the federal government on the proactive actions taken to avert nationwide strike by workers last week Tuesday but warned parties involved, not to renege on agreements reached .
” Nigerians and particularly members of this committee , are happy that the then looming industrial unrest , was averted by memorandum of understanding entered into by the federal government , the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) and the Trade Union Congress ( TUC )
” However , all the parties involved , should avoid reneging on any of the agreement reached”, he says in the statement.
The committee he adds, is committed to the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) principle of decent work and will take necessary legislative action to support efforts that will take necessary legislative action to support efforts that will improve the working conditions of Nigerian including payment of living wage as enshrined in the decent work agenda .