The organised labour’s quest for a living wage instead of minimum wage took the collaborative stage of the National Assembly, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) gathering in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on the subject matter.
In his goodwill massage at the event, chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, said the entire National Assembly is willing to do justice to the bill on living wage whenever it arrives the two chambers for passage.
“Standing before you bestows a sense of duty which comes from the fact that the institution I represent is a creation of the people of which labour, in all indices, is a utility player. The mill and engine of our national wealth and the lubricant which adds value to our commonwealth that leads to the attainment of our collective happiness is in the toils of Nigerian workers represented here by the organised labour.
“I am very proud to say that in the face of excruciating and gloomy economic realities/challenges both in peculiar and common dimensions facing our nation, subsidy removal inclusive, the singular lifeline holding the nation up is the resilient spirit of the Nigerian skilled workers in production and service sectors. At each turn when the Nigerian nation bounces back from real or threatened recession, it has always been due to the can do positive spirit of the workers who man the critical productive points of production and economy.
“The affection the legislature has for Labour is in two folds. First, it is hinged on the fact that labour aids and services the legislature in the discharge of its lawmaking function. Secondly, acts of the parliament are only given effect by way of execution through the instrumentality of the workforce.
“I, therefore, want to assure you that the committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity and indeed the entire Senate will discharge itself as the eye, skin and mouth of the Nigerian workers whenever the Bill on the Living Wage arrives the National Assembly.
“The Senate and indeed, the 10th National Assembly, under the chairmanship of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will take every legislative action towards ensuring that we bring to a stop, the practice of denying our workforce its deserved true wages.”
Earlier in his opening remarks of the conference tagged: “quest For A National Living Wage, NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said; “This retreat is a landmark event, and we are honoured to have the esteemed presence of our leaders within the trade union movement and National Assembly members from the Senate and House of Representatives.
“Your presence is a continuing demonstration of your commitment to collaborating with us so that together, we can make the nation’s workplaces bastions for boosting national productivity while ensuring that the welfare of workers is adequately catered for. The leadership of Congress will make you and your leadership the focus of our engagement with the government.
“the pursuit of a national living wage is not merely an economic necessity but a moral imperative, embodying the principles of fairness, dignity and social justice for the Nigerian worker. This is crucial given the huge suffering that our people and workers have had to go through as a result of the economic policies of the government in the past few years and especially on the vexatious issues of petrol price hike under the guise of subsidy withdrawal.
“With the support and determination of the National Assembly, a National Living Wage Act can be passed that would not only expand the coverage reaching more workers but also increase the quality and quantity of the wage floor. This retreat serves as a platform for robust discussions and collaborative efforts towards a just and equitable wage system for Nigerian workers. Nigeria needs us and we have to protect our workplaces, make it ours so that it can work for all of us. When workers are able to meet their basic needs, the nation benefits as businesses are revived and the economy thrives.”
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then