Minimum Wage: NASS Moves To Avert Strike, To Mediate Between Nigerian Govt, Labour

The National Assembly has announced its intention to engage with organized labor as a step towards preventing the impending industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday.

To this end, it urged all stakeholders to remain patient and co-operative as it works diligently to find a mutually acceptable resolution in the best interest of the country.

The legislative arm said its decision to intervene followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the labour unions in ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.

A statement issued Sunday, jointly signed by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, revealed that the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, are taking proactive steps to mediate and avert the impending industrial action.

The National Assembly stressed that both parties, labour and the Federal Government, have tenable reasons for their respective positions.

The National assembly added that the strike action would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy

Parts of the statement read: “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.