The House of Representatives is expected to meet with the Organised Labour over the lingering crisis related to the new national minimum wage.
The resolution was passed following the motion on ‘Personal Explanation in line with Order Eight, Rule 6,’ sponsored by Hon. Kelechi Nwogu.
The House resolution comes barely 24 hours after the leadership of Organized Labour, which proposed N497,000 against the earlier N615,000, however, rejected the N54,000 proposed by the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS).
In his lead debate, Hon. Nwogu drew the House’s attention to the provision of Order Eighteen, Rule 11 (5) of the Standing Order of the House, relating to the timeframe for submission of reports.
He noted that 80 days after the House, on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, passed a resolution on a motion titled ‘Need to Provide Living Wage for Workers in Nigeria,’ the joint Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Development, and Labour, Employment and Productivity have yet to submit a report on the matter.
He also noted that in view of the impending strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the need for the House to be proactive in preventing the strike, the Committees should be discharged of the mandate and the matter referred to an Ad-hoc Committee of the House.
To this end, the House mandated the Body of Principal Officers, in conjunction with the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, to interface with the Organized Labour and report within one week.
The joint National Executive Committee of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had at the last meeting held in Abuja, unanimously issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the process.
The leaders of the two trade unions, in the communiqué jointly signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo, who appreciated the efforts made so far, underscored the need to conclude the process within the stipulated timeframe.
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“While appreciating the efforts made thus far, the NEC emphasizes the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of the government’s policies.
“The NEC affirms its commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.
“The NEC-in-session therefore reiterates the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC to the federal government, which expires on the last day of this month.
“It emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the demands put forth by Nigerian workers and urges the government to prioritize the resolution of these issues in the best interest of industrial peace.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state councils whose state governments have yet to fully implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state governments to avert industrial action,” the communiqué read in part.