Strike:NASS leadership SGF,NLC, Ministers in Executive session over minimum wage

By Iyojo Ameh

The leadership of National Assembly, the organised labour made up of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Ministers are currently in a crucial close door session on issues related to minimum wage and proposed industrial action by labour.

The meeting, conveyed at the instance of the NASS leadership is in connection with proposed industrial action by the labour unions over the yet to be approved minimum wage for workers.

Presence at the meeting are the President of Senate , Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass and other principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Others from the executive are the Secretary to Government of the Federation George Akume, Ministers of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Finance, Wale Edun, Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, and Head of Service of the Federation
Dr.

Akpabio in his remarks before the executive session said the meeting was called at the instance of National Assembly leadership, following proposed indefinite strike by the organised labour.

He said that the National Assembly was not taken over the responsibility of the executive and the labour unions, adding that the meeting was called to hear the position of both parties on the minimum wage issue.

He said the national assembly was on the part of the people and the government,saying that what affects the people also affects the lawmakers.

Akpabio said Nigerian government was Keen on providing a living wage for its workers,hence it constituted a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage .

According to him , there is need to be mindful of
collateral damage
demage on eventual wage to be reached at to avoid workers been retrenched on account of employers inability to pay the eventual new wage.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass collaborated Akpabio, saying that NASS was on the side of the people and government.

He thanked the ministers and the labour leaders for honoring the meeting , saying that their presence was a testament of labour and government commitment toward ensuring lasting solution on issue of minimum wage.

President of NLC Joe Ajero said what the NLC was demanding for all Nigerians was a living wage and not a starvation wage.

He said the workers were the brothers and sisters of the lawmakers and the ministers , saying that they need to work for Nigerians.

His TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo said the current situation in the country was difficult for Nigerians especially in the last one year.

This, he said had also resulted in the difficulty in negotiating a new minimum wage for workers.