Dons EzeNATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR The National Assembly on Sunday revealed that it would mediate in the standoff between organized labour and the federal government as part of moves to avert the impending nationwide indefinite strike starting June 3, and a shutdown of the nation. In a joint statement signed by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, the federal legislature said it is intervening to resolve the deadlock on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. The National Assembly stressed that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions. The statement also revealed that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to rein in the situation as the industrial action would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide. “In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand. It added that the 10th National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented,” the National Assembly statement added. Recall that last Friday the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced an indefinite nationwide strike from tomorrow (Monday) over the federal government’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff. NLC and TUC leaders had, on Workers Day, celebrations given the Federal Government a May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest. The tripartite committee on a new National Minimum Wage set up by the government failed to make a decision on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings. Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings three times after rejecting government and the Organised Private Sector offers. Friday’s decision by the pressure groups happened at the expiration of the deadline given to the government by labour. The trade unions had asked the government to conclude on a new minimum wage, as the old minimum wage of N30,000 that was signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.