The House of Representatives has made a plea to the Federal Government to shift its focus in negotiations with labor from setting a minimum wage to establishing a more realistic living wage that aligns with current market conditions. This call came during a session at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
During the session, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, urged his colleagues to promptly amend the minimum wage bill, similar to how they swiftly acted on the national anthem. Chinda further suggested that if President Bola Tinubu refuses to give his assent, the National Assembly should override his decision.
The lawmakers also expressed their condemnation of the actions taken by members of the Labour Congress, as they disrupted the national power grid during their nationwide industrial strike on Monday.
Both the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) caused hours of darkness across the country as they protested against the offered N60,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government.
According to a statement from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, union members forcefully expelled and attacked grid operators before shutting down the grid in protest.
In response to these events following the strike’s conclusion on Tuesday, the lawmakers expressed their belief that the labor unions went too far by shutting down the national power grid, claiming that lives were lost as a result.
The lawmakers have called on the government to redirect its focus in negotiations with labor from setting a minimum wage to establishing a more realistic living wage that reflects the current market realities.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu drew attention to the Trade Dispute Act, which restricts labor unions from shutting down certain sectors during industrial actions.
Furthermore, the lawmakers have urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to conduct a thorough review of the electricity tariff, with the aim of reducing it.
